IKe  (olonel' 


72 


3 


THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER; 


OK, 


WINNING   HIS   SPURS. 


BY 


CAPT.  CHARLES  KING,  U.S.A. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

J.    B.    LIPPINCOTT    COMPANY. 
I  890. 


Copyright,  1882,  by  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  A  Oo. 


TO 

MRS.  JAMES   B.  RICKETTS, 

WHO, 

WHETHER   SHARING   THE   LOT   OF   WOUNDED   PRISONER, 

OB 

GRACING   THE   HIGHEST   CIRCLES   OP   SOCIETY, 

HAS   BEEN 

THE   DEVOTED   WIFE   TO   ONE, 

T.HB 

FAITHFUL   FRIEND   TO   MANY   A   SOLDIER, 

THIS 

ARMY  STORY   IS  DEDICATED. 


M12567 


PEEFACE. 


MR.  RALPH  WALDO  EMERSON  is  responsible  foi 
the  statement  that  "Spartans,  stoics,  heroes,  saints, 
and  gods  use  a  short  and  positive  speech."  TJiis  may 
account  for  the  fact  that  there  are  no  conversations 
worth  reading  in  this  entire  story. 

The  spontaneous  wisdom  and  eloquence  that  ani 
mate  the  characters  of  Bulwer  and  Disraeli  to  the 
habitual  and  familiar  use  of  language  outrival  ling  the 
diction  of  Richelieu ;  the  colossal  attainments  of  the 
natives  neighboring  Chattanooga,  as  set  forth  in  St. 
Elmo,  and  discovered  (by  aid  of  the  unabridged)  in 
their  oif-hand  chats ;  the  wit  and  sparkle  of  that  phe 
nomenally  delicious  couple,  Tom  and  Bessie,  who  irradi 
ate  not  only  "  One  Summer,"  but  every  season  in  which 
they  may  be  encountered, — all  will  be  found  wanting 
herein.  My  people  simply  talk,  as  people  in  the  line 
of  the  army  will  talk, — most  prosaically. 

When  it  comes  to  portraying  life  in  the  staff,  as  op 
posed  to  existence  in  the  fighting  force,  needless  to  say 
some  other  pen  must  be  employed  than  that  of 

THE  AUTHOR. 

November,  1882. 


THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER; 


OR, 

HIS  SPUES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

<e  SERGEANT-MAJOR  !" 

"  Sir-r-r !"  and  the  rasp  and  rattle  of  a  hastily-moved 
chair  preceded  but  an  instant  the  appearance  of  a 
soldierly  form  in  the  doorway. 

" That  Prescott  mail's  late  again  to-day?" 
"  Yes,  sir ;  been  late  every  time  last  three  trips." 
The  sergeant-major  clips  his  words  as  close  as  his 
cropped  hair  and  uses  no  superfluities.     Having  said 
so  much  he  waits,  mutely  "  standing  attention,"  for  his 
superior's  next  remark.     The  latter  is  dreamily  con 
templating  a  pair  of  rather  shapely  feet  perched  on  the 
desk  in  front  of  him,  and  tapping  the  boot-toes  thereof 
with  a  long  ruler.     Finally  he  queries, — 

"  Think  that  man  Finnegau's  been  drinking  again  ?" 

"  Looks  like  it,  sir ;  but  can't  say.    Horse  shows  hard 

riding  every  night  when  he  gets  in ;  but  you  can  see 

him  for  six  miles  up  the  valley,  and  he  comes  at  an  easy 

lope  all  the  way  from  the  Point." 


4  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

The  adjutant  slowly  lets  down  his  long  legs,  quits 
his  chair,  takes  from  its  case  a  signal-service  binocular 
and  saunters  to  the  open  doorway  leading  to  the  parade. 
His  subordinate  remains  a  moment,  in  his  invariable 
attitude,  at  the  door  of  the  inner  office,  then,  finding 
himself  addressed  no  further,  steps  back  quickly  as  he 
came. 

Leaning  against  the  post  of  the  narrow  piazza  in 
front,  the  adjutant  blinked  his  eyes  in  unwilling  defer 
ence  to  the  blazing  sunlight  and  gazed  out  towards  the 
north. 

Before  him,  straight  away,  lay  a  level  barren  of 
gravelly  earth,  brown  and  desolate :  no  sprig  of  grass, 
no  sign  of  shrub  or  tree ;  the  parade  of  Camp  Sandy, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  18 7-,  was  as  bald  as  the  head 
of  the  commanding  officer.  Midway  between  the  office 
and  the  glistening  white  line  of  picket-fence  that 
spanned  the  northern  limit  of  the  garrison  a  lance-like 
staif  shot  upward  into  the  burning  vault  of  heaven, 
and  from  its  summit  hung  motionless  the  heavy  folds 
of  blue  and  scarlet  and  white,  the  symbol  of  Yankee 
supremacy  in  the  midst  of  surrounding  desolation.  It 
hung  aloft  as  though  paralyzed  with  wonderment  at  its 
unlovely  companionship, — 

"  It  hung  in  the  heat  like  some  bright  dead  bird, 
And  the  air  was  so  still  you  could  hear  the  tramp 
Of  the  pacing  sentry  all  over  the  camp." 

Bounding  this  arid  surface  on  right  and  left  were  two 
long  lines  of  adobe  buildings.  Those  on  the  eastern 
side,  with  their  broad  piazzas  and  mansard-roofs,  indi 
cating  in  greater  pretence  the  homes  of  the  officers  of 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  5 

the  command ;  those  on  the  left,  low,  one-storied,  and 
colorless  as  the  dun  hue  of  the  parade  itself,  the  quarters 
of  the  men. 

Beyond  the  former,  a  thousand  yards  away,  rose  a 
turreted  palisade  of  conglomerate  shale  and  yielding 
sandy  earth  that  shut  out  wall-like  all  view  to  the  east. 
At  its  foot  rolled  the  shallow  stream  from  which  the 
post  derived  its  sole  supply  of  water.  It  never  seemed 
to  rain  at  Camp  Sandy,  though  torrents  might  be  de 
scending  in  the  mountains  that  shut  it  in.  To  the  west, 
beyond  the  line  of  barracks,  lay,  in  the  same  colorless 
clods  of  adobe,  the  cavalry  stables, — the  quartermaster's 
"  corrals," — and  beyond  them  tumbled  heaps  of  foot 
hill  rolling  higher  and  higher  until,  in  the  near  dis 
tance,  they  rose  a  thousand  feet  above  the  plateau  and 
joined  the  long  ridge  of  mountain-chain  that  stretched 
down,  claw-like,  from  the  grand  range  of  the  California 
Sierra.  Northward  the  eye  roamed  over  a  valley 
hemmed  in  towards  the  setting  sun  by  dark,  pine- 
covered  mountains,  while  on  the  other  side,  vivid,  daz 
zling,  scintillating  in  the  blazing  rays,  lay  the  barren 
yet  brilliant  cliffs  of  the  Red  E-ock  country.  The 
winding  fringe  of  cottonwood  in  the  valley  depths — a 
lively  green  contrasted  with  the  sombre  hue  of  all 
nature  near  it — marked  the  course  of  the  stream,  and 
far,  far  to  the  north,  plumb  under  the  spot  where 
Ihe  pole-star  glowed  at  night,  a  snow-capped  peak 
glistened  and  shimmered  through  the  heated  air,  the 
one  gleam  of  blessed  coolness  vouchsafed  in  the  entire 
picture. 

Still  holding  his  binocular  in  his  listless  hand,  the 
adjutant  lounged  in  the  shade  of  the  porch,  and  gazed 

l* 


6  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

drearily  over  the  scene  before  him.  Save  the  occasional 
lizard,  darting  about  the  sun-baked  parade,  no  sign  of 
life  or  motion  greeted  the  eye.  Along  "  officers'  row" 
every  blind  was  tightly  closed  against  the  blazing  west. 
One  or  two  sleeping  forms  could  be  detected  along  the 
shade-line  of  the  opposite  "  quarters" ;  but  even  at  the 
guard-house  the  sentry  had  been  drawn  inside,  and  was 
pacing  the  narrow  corridor  in  front  of  the  barred  win 
dows,  through  which  swarthy,  hungry-eyed  Apache 
faces  were  doubtless  glaring  out  in  miserable  hatred  of 
their  captors. 

It  was  a  cheerless  scene,  and  in  face  and  form,  ex 
pression  and  attitude,  there  could  be  detected  on  the 
part  of  the  one  visibly  wakeful  being  a  thorough  appre 
ciation  of  its  dreariness.  Tall,  "six  feet  two  in  his 
stockings,"  lithe  and  thin  in  flank,  but  with  massive 
shoulders  and  powerful  limbs,  the  adjutant's  form  would 
have  enraptured  the  life  guardsmen  of  England.  Clad 
in  the  coolest  of  white  duck  and  flannel,  every  line  of 
his  frame  was  patent  to  the  observer,  and  the  head  and 
face  were  fitting  accompaniment.  Eyes  of  darkest  hazel, 
a  straight,  slender,  broad-nostriled  nose,  a  mouth  firm 
and  clear-cut  under  the  curling  moustache,  chin  and 
jaw  square,  resolute,  and  clean-shaven,  forehead  broad 
and  white,  in  odd  contrast  to  the  bronze  that  spread 
over  face  and  neck,  hair  that  might  have  been  dark 
and  wavy  in  boyish  days,  but  now  close-cropped  to  the 
shapely  head,  the  adjutant  was  well  termed  among  his 
comrades  a  "  splendid-looking  fellow."  Yet  at  this 
moment  the  whole  face  was  marred  by  its  expression 
of  utter  weariness  and  discontent. 

Turning  sharply  with  a  disgusted  snap  of  the  case, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  7 

he  looked  at  the  thermometer  hanging  well  back  in  the 
shade, — 

"  One  hundred  at  5  P.M.  !  Well !  not  so  bad  as  yes 
terday,  but  hot  enough  for  Tophet.  What  in  Tophet 
did  we  ever  take  this  hole  from  Mexico  for  anyhow  ?" 
is  the  muttered  comment  that  falls  from  his  lips.  "An 
ape  or  a  Greaser  is  the  only  thing  on  two  legs  fit  to 
live  in  this  infernal  Arizona,  and  yet,  by  gad,  here's 
old  Pelham  going  to  bring  his  wife  and  daughter  out 
to  join." 

Something  in  the  absurdity  of  this  last  idea  provoked 
a  smile  upon  the  face  of  Mr.  John  Truscott,  adjutant 
of  Uncle  Sam's  — th  regiment  of  cavalry,  and  while 
he  did  not  give  way  to  soliloquy  his  thoughts  ran  some 
what  as  follows : 

"  She's  the  girl"  (she  being,  of  course,  Miss  Pelham, 
the  daughter  aforementioned)  "  the  youngsters  have  all 
been  raving  about  for  the  last  two  years.  Just  finished 
school  in  New  York,  but  spent  her  last  two  summers 
at  West  Point,  and  had  no  end  of  adorers  in  the  grad 
uating  class.  I  half  fancy  Glenham  to  be  one  of  her 
victims.  Almighty  good  thing  for  her  and  the  old 
folks  if  he  is,  for  the  Fates  have  blessed  him  with  in 
finite  lucre,  and  those  three  boys  of  Pelham's  have 
drained  him  poor  as — as,  begad,  as  I  am.  Wonder 
what  she's  like  anyhow?  You  never  can  tell  from 
what  these  young  fledglings  say.  Good  Lord!  how 
long  it  is  since  I've  had  a  glimpse  of  a  pretty  face,  or 
anything  civilized !" 

Mechanically,  Mr.  Truscott  turned  once  more  north 
ward,  and,  adjusting  the  glass,  took  a  long  survey  of 
the  valley  and  the  point  where  the  road  disappeared 


8  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

among  the  mountains.  This  time,  with  better  success, 
his  practised  eye  noted  the  faintly  visible  whiffs  of  dust, 
rising  at  intervals  beyond  the  cottonwoods,  yet  four 
miles  away. 

A  sudden  clatter  of  hoofs  came  rapidly  up  the  slope 
in  rear  of  the  office  from  the  south,  and  a  horse  and 
rider  plunged  into  space  by  his  side. 

"  Mail  in  yet,  Jack  ?"  shouted  a  fresh  cheery  voice, 
and  the  sunburnt,  bright-eyed  young  face  of  the  horse 
man  beamed  down  upon  the  adjutant. 

"  Nary,"  is  that  official's  inelegant  but  terse  reply. 
"  Coming  though,  I  think,"  he  adds,  as  he  notes  the 
shade  of  disappointment  creeping  over  the  features  of 
his  interrogator.  "  Where  have  you  been  ?"  he  asks. 
"  You  must  find  riding  hot  work  such  a  day  as  this  ?" 

"  Can't  help  it,"  replies  the  junior,  swinging  lightly 
to  the  ground.  "  Old  Catnip  says  those  herds  have  got 
to  be  visited  by  the  officer  of  the  day  at  least  once  be 
fore  stable-call,  and  I  made  it  late  as  I  could.  You 
look  bored  to  death,  Jack." 

Now,  just  why  every  officer  in  that  garrison  should 
invariably  address  Mr.  Truscott  as  "  Jack"  is  one  of 
those  mysteries  which  has  puzzled  metaphysicians. 
Some  profound  'thinker  has  recorded  as  the  result  of 
his  observations  that  a  man  hailed  by  his  fellow- men 
by  his  Christian  name  may  be  beloved,  but  is  always 
"blind  to  his  own  interests."  The  two  fit  into  one 
another  after  a  fashion,  for  it  usually  happens  that  the 
man  "  blind  to  his  own  interests"  is  apt  to  be  the  most 
unselfish  and  considerate  fellow  imaginable,  and  as 
such  is  apt  to  be  popular,  and,  in  army  circles,  to  have 
"  troops  of  friends"  until,  in  his  blindness,  he  stumbles 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  9 

into  a  scrape,  when  it  is  curious  to  mark  how  quickly 
the  "Jack"  gives  place  to  the  distant  surname,  and  the 
friends  dwindle  to  few.  Mr.  Truscott  was  popular, 
but  it  rose  from  no  pronounced  "  blindness  to  his  own 
interests."  He  was  generous,  even  lavish,  in  his  way, 
but  with  all  the  fact  of  an  acknowledged  intellectual 
superiority  over  his  comrades,  and  the  record  of  being 
a  splendid  soldier  and  a  "  thorough -bred"  gentleman, 
the  best  explanation  of  his  popularity,  perhaps,  is  to 
be  found  in  the  remarks  of  Captain  Tanner  on  the  sub 
ject.  "  I  like  Truscott,"  said  he,  "  because  in  the 
eight  years  I've  known  him  he  has  never  spoken  ill  of 
a  man  behind  his  back,  and  because  he  holds  a  woman's 
name  as  sacred."  The  knot  of  officers  to  whom  this 
opinion  was  delivered  contained  no  dissenter.  Yet  Mr. 
Truscott  had  his  enemies.  A  certain  uncompromising 
"  hit-or-miss"  way  of  doing  his  duty,  and  coming  down 
hard  on  delinquents,  had  stirred  the  rancor  of  more 
than  one  of  his  brethren,  who,  negligent  or  ignorant 
themselves,  had  no  patience  with  his  sternly  military 
system,  and,  having  been  rapped  over  the  official 
knuckles  by  the  commanding  officer,  they  would  gladly 
have  seen  the  adjutant  deposed  from  his  influential 
position.  Nor  was  it  among  his  own  sex  that  Mr. 
Truscott  had  acquaintances  who  were  not  all  well-wish 
ers.  In  the  utter  isolation  of  that  distant  station  those 
ladies  of  the  regiment  who  had  followed  their  husbands 
in  their  exile  (and  perchance  brought  unmarried  sisters 
with  them)  had,  or  fancied  they  had,  little  else  to  talk 
of  than  the  affairs  of  the  garrison  and  of  their  neigh 
bors.  Possibly  that  very  trait  which  so  aroused  the 
enthusiasm  of  Captain  Tanner,  "  that  he  held  sacred  a 


10  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

woman's  name,  and  could  not  be  brought  to  speak  ill 
of  one,"  was  the  very  thing  which  rendered  him  un 
bearable  to  some  three  or  four  of  their  number.  For 
how  inexpressibly  stupid  in  the  eyes  of  one  woman  is 
the  man  who  cannot  be  induced,  for  her  entertainment, 
to  criticise  another ! 

Treating  them  one  and  all  alike  with  a  certain  grave 
courtesy  and  gentle  deference,  he  trod  metaphorically 
upon  the  sweeping  trains  of  both  Mrs.  Raymond  and 
Mrs.  Turner,  and  in  the  observance  of  a  strict  neutrality 
had  at  one  time  or  other  given  offence  to  these  rival 
belles  of  the  garrison.  "  Why,"  said  Mrs.  Raymond, 
"  I  merely  hinted  to  him  at  the  hop  last  week  that  Mrs. 
Curtis's  last  dress  from  San  Francisco  must  have  been 
a  frightful  tax  on  her  husband's  pay,  and  you  know  it 
was,  and  he  drew  himself  into  his  shell  in  that  awfully 
superior  way  of  his  and  fairly  snubbed  me."  Now, 
Mr.  Truscott  was  incapable  of  "  snubbing"  any  woman. 
Grant-like,  he  fell  back  upon  an  inflexible  silence  when 
pressed  for  his  opinion  on  matters  of  which  he  chose 
not  to  speak.  But  this  passive  rebuke  was  to  women 
of  Mrs.  Raymond's  calibre  as  exasperating  as  an  active 
"snub,"  and  in  her  feline  way  she  resented  it. 

Neither  she  nor  her  sisters  in  garrison  cared  to  de 
clare  open  war  against  the  best-looking  man  and  one 
of  the  best  partners  in  the  command.  Besides,  Mr. 
Truscott  had  a  way  of  showing  very  delicate  attentions 
to  the  ladies  of  the  regiment,  though  distributing  all 
such  with  a  strict  impartiality ;  for  whether  from  hunt 
ing,  a  trip  to  Prescott,  or  the  rare  luxury  of  a  "  leave" 
in  San  Francisco,  he  seldom  returned  without  an  ac 
ceptable  remembrance  for  each  and  every  one.  Then, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  1] 

too,  he  bad  all  the  latest  books  and  magazines.  "  He 
kept  up  his  reading,"  as  the  officers  said,  and  his  taste 
was  indisputable.  Younger  officers  went  to  him  in 
their  troubles  and  perplexities,  sure  of  sympathy,  and 
surer  still  of  inviolable  confidence ;  older  officers,  sorely 
against  their  will  at  times,  consulted  his  opinions  on 
matters  wherein  they  should  have  been,  but  were  not, 
thoroughly  informed.  But  for  his  part,  it  was  a  cir 
cumstance  of  frequent  remark  that  he  never  once  was 
known  to  seek  advice  or  sympathy,  and  never  alluded 
to  affairs  of  his  own.  Many  and  various  were  the 
theories  advanced  as  to  why  Mr.  Truscott,  at  the  age 
of  thirty,  remained  unmarried.  Most  of  his  brother- 
officers  had  taken  unto  themselves  wives,  and  were  as 
happy  as  is  possible  under  such  circumstances,  but  to 
all  questions,  however  deftly  put,  bearing  upon  the 
matter,  the  adjutant  replied  with  imperturbable  gravity 
that  he  thought  too  much  of  the  sex  in  the  abstract  to 
offer  it  anything  so  unworthy  its  acceptance. 

There  were  matrons  in  the  regiment  who  looked 
upon  him  as  a  most  eligible  catch  for  a  younger  sister, 
and  who  had  imported  such  sisters  in  days  when  the 
— th  was  stationed  in  climes  more  accessible  for  the 
avowed  purpose  of  capturing  the  tall  subaltern,  but 
Jack  appeared  as  serenely  unconscious  of  their  wiles 
as  he  did  of  the  oft-thrown  signal  for  flirtation  from 
some  of  the  giddy  matrons  themselves.  Tradition  had 
it  that  Mr.  Truscott's  obduracy  was  due  to  a  love-affair 
of  long  standing ;  that  since  the  days  of  his  graduation 
he  had  adored  and  been  adored  by  a  damsel  far  away 
in  Massachusetts,  and  for  a  time  it  was  known  that 
delicate  missives  with  a  womanly  superscription  reached 


12  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER',    OR, 

him  from  that  quarter ;  but,  some  three  years  before, 
he  had  gone  East  on  a  long  leave  of  absence,  and  when 
the  regiment  received  orders  for  Arizona  had  suddenly 
reappeared  in  their  midst,  older,  graver,  and  at  times 
very  absent-minded,  but  never  since  had  he  sought 
further  opportunity  of  going  to  "  the  States,"  and  his 
secret,  whatever  it  might  be,  was  buried  in  his  own 
bosom.  Wherever  there  are  women  there  are  apt  to 
be  audacious  flirts,  and  many  a  time  had  some  practised 
coquette  baited  her  hook  in  the  vain  hope  of  getting  a 
rise  from  the  adjutant  of  the  — th.  It  would  be  a  re 
flection  on  his  sagacity  to  say  that  he  did  not  see  the 
fly,  but  he  possessed  the  faculty  of  appearing  so  utterly 
obtuse  as  not  to  see  it,  and,  whether  real  or  assumed, 
his  indifference  was  unmistakable.  Nellie  Blossom, 
the  brightest,  merriest,  and  withal  the  fairest  girl 
known  to  military  circles  in  the  West, — the  niece  of 
one  of  the  prominent  officers  of  the  department, — had 
actually  been  accused  by  the  critical  matrons  of  the 
garrisons  of  Prescott  and  Camp  Sandy  of  having 
thrown  herself  at  Jack  Truscott's  head.  But  she  had 
returned  to  San  Francisco  wiser  if  not  sadder,  and  was 
last  heard  of  flirting  desperately  with  the  artillerymen 
at  Alcatraz  and  the  Presidio,  and  when  inquisitive 
Circes  of  Camp  Sandy  sought  to  probe  Jack's  inner 
consciousness,  they  received  for  all  answer  an  assurance 
that  if  he  could  admire  any  one  as  much  as  he  did  the 
ladies  of  the  — th,  that  lady  was  Miss  Blossom. 

One  day  "  Old  Catnip,"  as  he  was  popularly  termed, 
Colonel  Pelham,  as  he  was  known  officially,  electrified 
the  garrison  of  Camp  Sandy  by  the  information  that 
Mrs.  Pelham  and  his  daughter  Grace  were  coming  out 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  13 

to  join.  Now,  it  is  a  peculiarity  of  the  ladies  of  the 
army  that  the  simple  announcement  of  a  fact  is  as 
stimulative  of  conjecture  and  reflection  as  was  the  fall 
of  Isaac  Newton's  apple.  There  wasn't  a  woman  in  all 
Camp  Sandy  who  did  not  immediately  set  to  work  to 
fathom  the  motives  of  Mrs.  Pelham  in  thus  suddenly 
starting  for  such  an  utterly  out-of-the-way  place  as 
Arizona;  and  there  was  not  a  woman  in  all  Camp 
Sandy  who  by  noon  on  the  following  day  had  not 
decided  that  she  was  coming  to  capture  Lieutenant 
Arthur  Glenham  and  his  handsome  fortune.  Grace 
was  a  girl  of  sixteen  at  school  when  the  regiment  was 
hurried  to  the  Pacific  coast,  and  Mrs.  Pelham  had  de 
cided  to  remain  in  New  York  until  her  daughter's 
education  was  completed.  Each  summer  she  had  gone 
with  her  to  West  Point,  where  Grace  had  been  an 
acknowledged  belle  among  the  cadets,  and  where  frank, 
whole-souled  young  Glenham  had  most  unequivocally 
shown  himself  an  adorer.  It  was  said  that  he  had 
gone  so  far  as  to  offer  himself  to  Grace,  saying  humbly 
that  "  he  wasn't  much  to  look  at,  but  at  least  he  could 
offer  the  woman  he  loved  a  home  and  an  ample  fortune." 
Grace  never  told  it  to  a  soul,  nor  had  she  encouraged 
the  boy,  but  a  sharp-sighted  mamma  had  noted  every 
symptom,  and  speedily  won  from  Glenham  himself  a 
statement  of  his  prospects  financial,  and  had  bidden 
him  hope  as  regarded  his  prospects  otherwise.  Mean 
time,  jolly  old  Pelham  had  established  his  headquarters 
at  Sandy,  and  his  red  face  and  bald  head  could  be  seen 
for  an  hour  each  morning  at  the  office,  after  which  they 
were  invisible  until  sundown,  when  he  reappeared  on 
the  veranda  of  his  quarters  ready  fr*  chat  with  any  one 

2 


14  TEE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

who  came  along,  and  was  completely  happy  if  three  or 
four  of  his  officers  would  consent  to  spend  the  evening 
and  play  whist  with  him. 

Glenham's  classmates  had  exchanged  some  sly  witti 
cisms  when  the  order  assigning  him  to  Pelham's  regi 
ment  was  received,  and  it  was  said  at  Sandy  that  the 
colonel  eyed  the  young  gentleman  very  sharply  when 
he  reported  for  duty.  "  Mr.  Truscott,"  said  he,  "  I 
think  that  young  fellow  has  some  good  points  about 
him.  Suppose  you  take  him  in  hand  and  draw  him 
out."  So  it  happened  that  Glenham  had  been  welcomed 
to  the  adjutant's  quarters,  and,  as  there  were  by  no  means 
houses  enough  to  give  each  subaltern  a  "  set"  to  him 
self,  he  had  there  remained  to  this  day. 

It  was  Arthur  Glenham  himself  who  reined  up  at 
the  adjutant's  office,  and  it  was  his  cheery  voice  that 
accosted  Truscott  in  eager  inquiry  for  the  mail. 

The  two  officers  were  a  striking  contrast.  Glenham 
was  short  in  stature,  broad  of  shoulder,  stout  of  limb, 
with  a  face  almost  as  broad  in  proportion  as  his  body, 
with  merry  laughing  blue  eyes,  a  large  mouth,  ex 
panded  in  the  perpetual  grin  which  his  perfect  teeth 
rendered  excusable,  a  face  and  form,  in  fact,  indicative 
of  the  utmost  good  nature,  if  not  of  the  utmost 
intellect.  And  Glenham  was  more  than  good-natured. 
He  possessed  a  trait  rare  as  is  an  unconscious  manner 
in  those  men  to  whose  grandsires  wealth  was  unknown. 
His  bounty  was  lavish,  yet  no  comrade  was  allowed  to 
feel  that  he  was  the  victim  of  a  special  favor.  As  a 
consequence,  young  Arthur  was  frequently  imposed 
upon  by  the  rank  and  file  of  the  regiment,  who  were 
incessantly  coming  to  know  "  Would  the  loot'nint  lind 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  15 

me  the  loan  of  tin  dollars  till  pay  day  ?"  and  then,  in 
emulation  of  Captain  Costigan  of  convivial  memory, 
going  off  to  disburse  the  amount  at  the  sutler's  store. 

For  a  long  time  Truscott  noted  the  frequent  appear 
ance  of  the  worst  class  of  men  in  the  command  at  the 
back  door  of  his  quarters;  they  invariably  inquired 
for  Lieutenant  Glenham,  and  always  wanted  to  see 
him  alone.  Truscott  said  nothing;  but  had  no  diffi 
culty  in  divining  the  object  of  these  visits.  One  day, 
however,  the  colonel  was  more  conflagratory  in  temper 
than  was  customary ;  "  Fm  willing  to  put  up  with  the 
pay-day  spree,"  was  the  warrior's  remark,  after  some 
indirect  profanity,  "  but  here's  the  guard-house  cram- 
full  of  the  old  topers  of  the  garrison  this  morning,  and 
the  sutler  swears  he  hasn't  trusted  them  a  cent's  worth. 
Now  where  in  blazes  did  they  get  their  money  ?" 

Finding  himself  addressed,  the  adjutant  replied  that 
he  "  thought  he  could  find  out,  and,  furthermore,  could 
put  a  stop  to  it  in  future."  Pelham  stared  hard  at  his 
subordinate  for  a  moment,  as  though  he  half  detected 
the  fact  of  his  entire  knowledge  of  the  source  of  sup 
ply.  He  longed  to  press  the  matter  and  extract  further 
information,  but  in  the  calm  gravity  of  Mr.  Truscott's 
manner  he  was  vividly  reminded  of  the  experience  of 
a  former  colonel  of  the  regiment,  and  having  been  in 
the  habit  of  declaring  that  it  served  the  colonel  right, 
he  turned  sharply  on  his  heel  and  walked  to  his 
private  desk.  A  moment  more  and  his  voice  was 
heard,  placid  and  low,  "Very  well,  Truscott;  you 
attend  to  it." 

The  story  of  this  previous  experience  was  an  old  one 
in  the  regiment,  indeed,  had  been  told  all  over  the 


16  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

Plains.  Its  former  colonel  was  blessed  with  a  wife, 
daughters,  and  as  many  unmarried  feminine  relations 
as  Sir  Joseph  Porter,  K.C.B.,  and  ordinarily  half  a 
dozen  of  them  were  his  guests  in  garrison.  His  adju 
tant,  a  consumptive  relic  of  the  war,  had  won  his  un 
dying  gratitude  by  taking  a  sister-in-law  off  his  hands, 
but,  as  he  was  compelled  to  bury  that  adjutant  with 
military  honors  some  six  months  afterwards,  and  sub 
sequently  to  provide  for  both  the  fatherless  and  the 
widow,  the  benefit  was  but  temporary.  Then  he  sum 
moned  Truscott  to  headquarters,  and  appointed  him 
adjutant  vice  the  defunct  brother-in-law.  Truscott 
speedily  showed  consummate  ability  in  the  performance 
of  his  duties,  but  a  correspondent  lack  of  inclination 
for  the  delicate  functions  of  his  predecessor.  Resisting 
all  feminine  wiles,  he  declined  to  spend  his  unoccupied 
hours  in  dancing  attendance  upon  the  sisters,  cousins, 
and  daughters,  though  always  showing  them  scrupulous 
attention  at  the  garrison  hops ;  but  there  was  one  thing 
in  which  he  utterly  differed  from  the  deceased,  and  in 
which  he  succeeded  in  winning  the  ill  will  of  every 
woman  in  the  colonel's  household,  and,  of  course,  be 
fore  long  that  of  the  colonel  himself.  Nothing  would 
induce  him  to  talk  to  them  of  the  affairs  of  any  officer 
or  lady  in  or  out  of  the  regiment,  and  no  longer  could 
they  derive  information  from  the  man  whose  position 
enabled  him  to  be  "  well  posted." 

This  was  outrageous.  "  The  idea  that  the  adjutant 
of  my  husband's  regiment  is  going  to  ignore  my  posi 
tion  is  something  I'll  not  tolerate,"  was  the  repeated 
remark  of  "  Madame  la  Colonelle"  to  her  cronies  in  the 
garrison.  "  You'll  see  that  he  cannot  hold  it  a  week." 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  17 

Naturally,  iu  less  than  a  week,  Mr.  Truscott,  from  a 
dozen  different  sources,  received  what  "his  friends" 
chose  to  denominate  "  warnings,"  but  he  went  on  about 
his  duties  as  usual,  for  the  colonel  had  many  soldierly 
qualities  that  he  firmly  respected.  It  pained  him 
greatly  to  note  the  daily  increasing  coldness  and  in 
justice  of  the  commanding  officer,  but  he  said  nothing. 

One  morning  the  storm  broke.  Something  had  gone 
wrong  at  the  colonel's.  They  were  then  stationed  in 
Kansas,  near  a  large  railway  town,  and  it  was  a  source 
of  much  gossip  that  several  of  the  young  officers  were 
frequent  visitors  during  the  midnight  hours  at  places 
of  varied  entertainment  in  the  vicinity,  but  none  had 
been  absent  from  any  roll-call  or  duty.  There  are 
always  one  or  two  officers  to  tell  the  colonel  of  such 
affairs,  and  always  ten  or  a  dozen  women  to  tell  the 
colonel's  wife,  which  generally  amounts  to  the  same 
thing. 

On  this  particular  morning  the  colonel's  face  was 
wrathful,  and  he  opened  fire  on  his  adjutant  at  once 
with, — 

"  Mr.  Truscott,  what  officers  were  absent  from  re 
veille  this  morning?" 

Truscott  promptly  rose,  stood  like  a  statue  before  his 
colonel,  and  calmly  replied,  "  None,  sir." 

"  Then  you  and  they  must  have  made  almighty  good 
time  back  from  town.  I  am  told  you  were  playing 
poker  at  the  Alhambra  till  after  four  this  morning." 

"  So  far  as  I  am  concerned-  your  informant  is  mis 
taken.  I  was  not  out  of  the  garrison,  sir." 

There  were  several  officers  sitting  or  standing  about 
the  room.  Some  slipped  quietly  out,  unwilling  to  listen 
b  2* 


18  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

to  a  conversation  already  so  painful.  Others  remained, 
with  attentive  ears. 

"At  all  events  you  know  who  wwe  there,  and  I 
expect  you,  as  ray  staff-officer,  to  inform  me." 

"It  so  happens,  colonel,  that  I  do  not  know.  I 
have  not  even  heard." 

"  Well,  I  know  that  you  do  know  who  were  playing 
oards  in  Captain  Lapham's  quarters  two  nights  ago,  for 
you  were  seen  coming  from  there  at  ten  o'clock,  and 
this  was  probably  the  same  party." 

"  I  was  Captain  Lapham's  guest  on  that  occasion,  as 
were  the  others,  colonel ;  and  now  I  must  say  emphat 
ically,  but  with  all  respect,  that  I  never  heard  of  such 
a  thing  as  its  being  the  duty  of  the  adjutant  to  keep 
the  commanding  officer  informed  of  the  movements  of 
the  officers  off  duty,  but  as  such  seems  to  be  your  view, 
I  beg  to  be  relieved  at  once." 

"  You  are,  sir,  you  are ;  and,  had  I  listened  to  ad 
vice,  you  would  have  been  long  ago,"  fairly  roared  the 
colonel.  "  Leave  the  office  at  once !"  And,  with  the 
respect  of  every  man  in  the  regiment,  Jack  Truscott 
took  himself  back  to  his  troop.  Some  time  afterwards, 
over  a  year,  promotions  and  retirements  brought  Col 
onel  Pelham  to'  the  command  of  the  — th,  and  about 
the  first  thing  he  did  was  to  send  for  Truscott  and  re 
instate  him  in  the  adjutancy. 

From  that  day  to  this  the  colonel  never  regretted  it, 
and  it  was  with  complete  assurance  that  he  left  the 
matter  of  stopping  the  irregular  supplies  of  the  garri 
son  to  his  staff-officer.  Glenham's  open-handed  liber 
ality  met  with  a  sudden  check,  nobody  knew  why  or 
how,  for  what  passed  between  Truscott  and  himself  was 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  19 

never  mentioned,  but  a  report  rapidly  gained  credence 
in  Camp  Sandy  that  Mr.  Glenham  had  lost  a  great  deal 
of  money  in  unfortunate  investments.  Soft-voiced 
sirens  inquired  of  Mr.  Tmscott  whether  Glenham  had 
said  anything  to  him  about  his  losses,  and  on  -Mr. 
Truscott's  replying  gravely  that  he  had  not,  and  merely 
bowing  with  equal  gravity  to  the  supplementary  re 
mark,  "  You  know,  as  his  room-mate  and  most  inti 
mate  friend,  I  thought  he  probably  would  have  told 
you.  Of  course,  it's  a  matter  I  would  never  think  of 
mentioning,"  the  soft- voiced  siren  had  retired  in  defeat, 
and  conveyed  her  verdict  to  some  chosen  intimate  that 
Mr.  Glenham  must  have  been  speculating  heavily,  she 
"  had  been  talking  with  Mr.  Trr.scott,  but  don't  for  the 
world  say  I  said  so,"  etc.  Consequently,  when  Colonel 
Riggs,  the  bluff  old  inspector-general  of  the  depart 
ment,  dropped  in  at  Sandy  on  his  way  from  a  hunt, 
and  with  his  usual  happy  facility  of  hitting  the  nail 
on  the  head  accosted  Glenham  with,  "  Hello,  young 
ster  !  I  hear  you've  been  speculating  and  lost  most  of 
your  money,"  the  boy  was  indignant,  and  in  denying 
the  statement  in  toto  demanded  the  name  of  Colonel 
Rjggs's  informant,  so  that  in  the  course  of  the  week 
there  was  an  unpleasantness  at  Sandy,  and  Mrs.  Turner 
lost  one  of  her  admirers.  Between  Truscott  and  Glen 
ham  there  existed  a  firm  friendship  which  nothing 
seemed  to  shake.  The  former  was  neither  demonstra 
tive  nor  outwardly  warm  in  his  manner  to  the  younger 
man,  but  it  was  evident  that  he  influenced  him  in 
everything, — his  duties,  his  tastes,  the  employment  of 
his  time,  and,  though  imperceptibly,  in  the  selection  of 
his  friends  and  associates.  On  the  other  hand,  Glen- 


20  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

ham,  in  his  impetuous  and  enthusiastic  way,  was  wont 
to  talk  of  Truscott  and  his  admiration  for  him  by  the 
hour.  So  when  it  was  noised  abroad  that  Miss  Grace 
Pelham  was  soon  to  arrive,  and  all  the  story  of  Glen- 
ham's  devotion  to  her  was  renewed,  it  was  with  much 
amazement  and  more  incredulity  that  the  ladies  of  the 
garrison  heard  Mr.  Truscott's  answer  of  "  Nothing,"  in 
response  to  their  eager  queries  as  to  what  Glenham  Lad 
ever  told  him  about  her. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  21 


CHAPTER    II. 

BIG  with  importance  was  Mrs.  Captain  Raymond 
when  the  mail  from  Prescott  finally  came  in  on  this 
hot  September  evening  and  there  was  placed  in  her 
han  ^s  a  letter  from  no  less  a  personage  than  "  Lady 
Pelham,"  as  the  — th  was  accustomed  to  designate  the 
portly  matroa  who  shared  the  joys,  sorrows,  name,  and 
much  more  than  shared  the  stipend  of  the  jolly  colonel. 

Seldom  was  it  that  her  ladyship  saw  fit  to  honor  the 
lesser  lights  jf  the  regiment  with  letters  written  in  her 
august  hanc .  "  Never  indeed/'  said  Mrs.  Wilkins, 
who  was  not  one  of  her  ladyship's  satellites,  "unless 
she  has  an  axe  to  grind  or  wants  chestnuts  pulled  out 
of  the  fire."  Mrs.  Wilkins  was  rich  in  metaphor,  but 
limited  in  elegance,  and  from  the  first  had  made  an 
unfavorable  impression  on  the  new  colonel's  wife ;  but 
none  the  less  was  Mrs.  Wilkins  eager  to  hear  the  pur 
port  of  her  ladyship's  communication,  and  so  postponed 
her  departure  for  tea,  barely  restraining  her  impatience 
until  Mrs.  Raymond  had  finished  the  eight  closely- 
written  pages  and  looked  up,  expectant  of  question. 
"  What  does  she  say  about  Grace  and  Mr.  Glenham  ?" 
was  the  first  propounded. 

UW — ell,"  replied  the  recipient,  slowly.  "You 
mustn't  mention  it  to  a  soul,  because  she  says  I'm  not 
to  allude  to  it ;  but,  as  you  were  here  when  the  letter 


22  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

came,  why,  I  can't  see  how  she  can  expect  me  to  say 
that  she  did  not  mention  the  subject  when  she  did  ;  but 
you  mustn't  breathe  it.  They  are  not  engaged." 

"  Oh,  of  course  I  knew  that  all  along,"  persisted 
Mrs.  Wilkins ;  "  but  what  does  she  say  ?" 

And  so  after  much  interchange  of  solemn  promise* 
never  to  tell  a  soul  or  betray  one  another,  Mrs.  Ray 
mond  read  to  Mrs.  Wilkins  an  extract  pretty  much  as 
follows  from  the  last  page  of  her  ladyship's  letter : 

"  Oh,  I  knew  there  was  something  else  I  wanted  to 
speak  about.  You  know  Mr.  Glenham,  of  course,  and 
very  probably  you  have  heard  some  silly  rumor  con 
necting  dear  Grace's  name  with  his.  Now  let  me  assure 
you,  my  friend,  there  is  absolutely  nothing  in  it, — that 
is,  of  course,  nothing  definite.  He  was  perfectly  de 
voted  to  her  at  West  Point,  and  evidently  very  much 
in  love ;  but  Grace  is  so  young,  you  know,  so  perfectly 
childlike,  that  his  marked  attention  seemed  to  make  no 
impression  upon  her,  and  no  child  of  mine  shall  ever 
be  coerced  in  a  matter  of  the  affections.  Such  things  I 
look  upon  as  criminal  in  a  mother.  Of  course  with 
his  fine  character  and  attainments,  not  to  mention  his 
means,  it  might  not  be  a  bad  match  for  Gracie,  though 
she  could  look  much  higher.  You  have  no  idea  how 
lovely  the  child  has  grown,  and  only  I  can  say  how 
utterly  sweet  and  lovable  a  daughter  she  is ;  but  she  is 
very  sensitive,  and  with  regard  to  Mr.  Glenham  is  pain 
fully  nervous  at  times  about  meeting  him  again.  She 
gave  him  no  encouragement  at  all,  and  assured  me  that 
her  heart  was  untouched,  but,  as  I  say,  she  was  very 
young  and  inexperienced,  and  no  one  can  predict  what 
may  come  of  it.  Now  with  your  known  tact  it  will 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  23 

be  an  easy  matter  to  give  people  to  understand  (\\  ithout 
letting  it  be  known  that  I  wrote  you)  that  there  is  no 
engagement,  but  that  any  allusion  to  the  matter  in 
Grade's  presence  would  be  prejudicial" — "Yes,  she 
has  written  prejudicial,  then  scratched  it  out  and  written 
painful,"  said  Mrs.  Raymond — "  painful  to  her  in  the 
last  degree.  Some  women  are  so  heedless  and  others 

so  malicious  that  it  would  be  just  like "  And 

here  Mrs.  Raymond  stopped  short  with  an  embarrassed 
cough  and  "  Well,  that's  about  all,"  which  Mrs.  Wil- 
kins  did  not  at  all  believe,  but  went  off  homeward, 
confident  that  her  ladyship  had  made  a  most  uncom 
plimentary  allusion  to  herself  in  the  very  line  where 
Mrs.  Raymond  balked,  which,  in  fact,  she  had. 

"  Don't  tell  me  any  such  stuff,"  soliloquized  the  irate 
lady,  as  she  banged  the  door  of  her  own  domicile 
behind.  u  That  woman  will  bow  down  to  and  worship 
money  wherever  she  sees  it,  and  she'll  just  make  that 
girl  marry  him.  See  if  she  don't."  And  at  an  early 
hour  that  evening  Lieutenant  Wilkins  made  his  appear 
ance  at  the  card-room  down  at  the  store,  a  circumstance 
that  by  this  time  had  become  the  generally  accepted 
signal  at  Sandy  that  the  wind  was  in  the  east  at  "  Castle 
Wilkins,"  as  that  subaltern's  quarters  were  dubbed  by 
the  "  society"  of  the  post. 

To  just  how  many  more  of  her  intimates  that  and 
other  portions  of  her  ladyship's  letter  were  read  by 
Mrs.  Raymond  is  not  of  sufficient  importance  to  relate. 
That  she  had  revealed  the  chapter  on  Grace  to  one  was 
sufficient  to  insure  its  speedy  transmission  throughout 
the  garrison,  not  perhaps  with  strict  accuracy  as  to 
detail,  but  with  those  unavoidable  embellishments  with 


24  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

which  the  sex  succeeds  at  most  times  in  quadrupling 
the  proportions  of  any  story. 

Mid-October  came,  and  the  blazing  sun  disappeared 
at  an  earlier  hour  behind  the  range  to  the  west,  and 
crimsoned  and  gilded  the  lofty  battlements  of  Squaw 
Peak  down  the  valley  even  as  the  evening  recall  from 
herd  and  fatigue  duty  was  echoed  from  the  mesa  across 
the  stream.  With  each  succeeding  day  old  Pelham 
waxed  more  jolly  and  jubilant,  and  huge  were  the 
preparations  being  made  at  the  commanding  officer's 
mansion  for  the  reception  of  her  ladyship  and  the  sole 
daughter  of  his  house  and  name. 

"  They  sail  from  San  Francisco  to-morrow  I"  he 
shouted  one  evening  to  the  knot  of  officers  coming  in 
from  retreat  roll-call,  and  waving  the  brown  envelope 
of  his  dispatch,  the  colonel  soon  gathered  his  adherents 
about  him.  "  They  sail  to-morrow.  Come  in  every 
body.  Let's  drink  their  health  and  wish  them  God 
speed  I"  And  the  glad-hearted  veteran  set  before  them 
the  unaccustomed  luxury  of  fruity  Cucumungo  wine, 
the  nectar  of  Californian  vintage,  and  clinked  his  glass 
with  one  and  all  in  joyous  recognition  of  their  cordial 
good  wishes. 

"  I  go  all  the  way  to  the  Colorado  to  meet  them," 
said  he.  "They  will  reach  Yuma  by  Tuesday  fort 
night,  and  the  general  has  given  me  his  own  teams  and 
ambulance  to  bring  them  to  Prescott,  and  there  all  of 
you  who  can  must  come  up  to  the  ball  the  staff  are  to 
give  them.  We'll  have  lots  of  good  times,  and  escort 
them  down  here  in  style." 

Why  was  it  that  in  his  rejoicing  the  honest-hearted 
old  fellow  put  forth  his  hand  and  rested  it  kindly  on 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  25 

young  Glenham's  broad  shoulder,  and  that  he  looked 
into  the  boy's  flushed  and  eager  face  with  eyes  suffused 
with  unbidden  tears  ?  Every  man  in  the  party  noted 
the  fact,  and  even  there  some  smiled  significantly. 

That  night  Truscott  turned  over  lazily  in  his  bed, 
where  he  had  lain  for  some  time  listening  for  the  regular 
breathing,  placid  as  a  baby's,  that  generally  marked 
Glenham's  slumber.  Then  he  hailed  through  the  open 
doorway,  "Glenham,  I  wish  you'd  go  to  sleep  and 
snore ;  I  miss  my  lullaby.  I've  fixed  it  all  with  Wil- 
kins  that  he  is  to  take  your  duty  for  a  week,  so  that 
you  can  have  all  that  time  in  Prescott  when  the  Pel- 
hams  come.  Now  do  go  to  sleep,  and  don't  toss  about 
there  any  longer."  And  without  another  word  or 
caring  to  hear  Glenham's  confused  expression  of  thanks, 
Truscott  turned  his  face  to  the  wall  again  and  was  lost 
in  his  own  reflections. 

Early  in  November  the  "  Newbern"  was  telegraphed 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Colorado,  and  Colonel,  Mrs.,  and 
Miss  Pelham  were  the  guests  of  the  commanding 
officer  at  Yuma.  Six  days  more  and,  their  long  drive 
across  the  desert  completed,  they  would  be  at  Prescott. 
It  did  not  require  half  an  eye  at  Sandy  to  mark  how 
eager,  nervous,  and  absent-minded  Glenham  had  be 
come.  It  had  been  arranged  that  six  of  the  officers, 
including  Truscott  and  himself,  were  to  leave  for  Pres 
cott  as  soon  as  the  Pelhams  arrived  there,  and  that  as 
many  of  the  ladies  of  Camp  Sandy  were  to  accompany 
the  party  to  take  part  in  the  festivities  at  headquarters 
Grand  times  were  anticipated.  The  staff  of  the  com 
manding  general  were  to  give  a  ball  in  honor  of  the 
arrival  of  so  noted  an  army  lady  as  Mrs.  Pelharn  and 
B  3 


26  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   Oil, 

so  lovely  an  army  girl  as  her  daughter.  Then  the 
infantry  officers  of  Fort  Whipple  were  to  give  another, 
and  there  would  be  a  series  of  dinner-parties,  rides, 
drives,  picnics,  and  possibly  hunts  in  the  neighboring 
mountains.  The  band  of  the  infantry  was  daily  prac 
tising  the  latest  and  most  attractive  music,  imported 
from  New  York  expressly  for  the  occasion,  and  their 
energetically  eccentric  leader  was  grinning  and  capering 
and  writhing  himself  into  the  verge  of  convulsions  in 
his  efforts  to  make  them  throw  espressione  into  the 
waltz  composed  and  most  respectfully  dedicated  to  her 
Excellenza  Signora  Colonel  Pelham  by  her  most  humble 
and  admiring  servant  Paolo  Bianchinnetti.  Bandmaster 
Paolo  was  always  composing  and  dedicating  waltzes  to 
the  ladies  of  the  senior  officers,  and  trusting  to  luck  to 
secure  the  kindly  graces  of  the  younger  ones,  in  which 
course  he  was  wiser  in  his  generation  than  many  a 
native,  for  while  the  dancing  subalterns  swore  at  him 
for  his  execrable  time,  the  elders  swore  by  him,  and 
they  held  the  balance  of  power. 

The  time  was  fast  approaching.  Captains  Raymond, 
Turner,  and  Tanner,  with  their  wives  and  the  three 
young  lady  relatives  who  were  to  make  up  the  party, 
were  to  drive  in  two  large  ambulances  over  the  moun 
tain  roads  to  Prescott,  while  Truscott,  Crane,  and  Glen- 
ham  escorted  them  on  horseback.  The  command  of 
the  post  in  Pelham's  absence  had  devolved  upon  Cap 
tain  Canker,  a  martinet  in  his  way,  and  a  man  whom  a 
little  brief  authority  would  transform  into  a  nuisance. 
The  party  was  to  start  on  Monday  morning,  and  on 
Sunday  night,  after  parade,  Mr.  Wilkins  came  to  Trus 
cott  with  an  air  of  profound  embarrassment.  "  Jack, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  27 

I've  got  to  go  to  Prescott  after  all.  Mrs.  Wilkins  has 
set  her  heart  on  going  within  the  last  ten  days,  and  I 
cannot  get  out  of  it."  Truscott  said  not  a  word,  so 
Wilkins  stumbled  painfully  on,  "  I  never  wanted  to  go, 
and  I  know  that  it  will  disappoint  Glenham,  as  I  had 
promised  to  take  his  duties." 

"  You  were  to  have  taken  his  tour  as  officer  of  the 
day  Tuesday,  and  to  have  attended  his  stable  and  com 
pany  duties  during  the  week,"  said  Truscott.  "  When 
did  you  decide  to  go  ?" 

"  Not  until  this  morning." 

«  Why  didn't  you  tell  me  then  ?" 

"  Well,  I  thought  Mrs.  Wilkins  would  change  her 
mind." 

"  When  did  you  tell  Captain  Canker  ?"  asked  Jack, 
and  a  set  look  came  into  his  face  as  he  gazed  straight 
into  the  eyes  of  the  other. 

"  I  told  him  this  morning,  and  he  said  it  was  all 
right." 

"That's  all  I  want  to  know,"  said  Truscott,  and 
turning  abruptly,  he  walked  over  to  his  office.  Just 
as  he  expected,  Captain  Canker  was  seated  there  over 
hauling  some  late  muster-rolls,  and  as  Truscott  entered, 
the  temporary  commander  accosted  him  with,  "Mr. 
Adjutant,  you  will  notify  Mr.  Glenham  that  he  cannot 
go  to  Prescott  to-morrow  as  Mr.  Wilkins  is  entitled  to 
the  preference,  and  he  has  decided  to  go." 

Truscott  replied,  quietly,  "Very  good,  sir,"  and 
seated  himself  at  his  desk  as  though  the  matter  were 
definitely  settled. 

Now,  Canker  hated  his  colonel,  who  had  on  several 
occasions  interfered  with  his  harsh  and  arbitrary  sys- 


28  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

tern  as  troop  commander ;  he  heartily  disliked,  yet  re 
spected,  Truscott,  because  he  was  the  colonel's  loyal  and 
trusted  staff-officer,  and  he  was  at  all  times  as  discour 
teous  and  fault-finding  with  his  second  lieutenant,  Glen- 
ham,  as  he  dared  be  at  a  post  where  the  colonel  was 
always  ready  to  listen  to  any  appeal  for  justice,  either 
from  officer  or  man ;  but  Canker  was  weak  withal,  and, 
finding  that  Truscott  would  ask  no  questions  or  express 
no  opinion  as  to  his  action  in  Glenham's  case,  he  pro 
ceeded  to  do  just  what  Truscott  was  morally  certain  he 
would  do,  defend  it.  "  You  see,  Jack/'  said  Canker, 
"  I  must  have  at  least  two  subalterns  here  this  week.  I 
would  be  very  glad  to  oblige  Mr.  Glenham  by  taking 
stables,  recitations,  and  the  like,  but  we  must  have  four 
officers  for  officer-of-the-day  duty.  If  anybody  were 
here  to  take  his  place,  I  would  be  delighted  to  let  him 
go."  Truscott  continued  his  calm  occupation  of  con 
ning  over  some  company  returns,  and  merely  bowed  in 
acquiescence,  so  Canker  continued :  "  It  is  very  disa 
greeable  to  me  to  have  to  interrupt  so  pleasant  a  pro 
gramme,  but  you  see  yourself  that  we  ought  to  have 
four  officers  for  duty,  do  you  not  ?" 

"  Undoubtedly,"  says  Truscott,  imperturbably.  "We 
ought  to  have  a  dozen." 

"  I'm  glad  you  agree  with  me,"  says  Canker.  "  Mr. 
Glenham  is  prone  to  think  me  extremely  exacting  and 
capricious  where  he  is  concerned,  and  will  be  more  apt 
to  complain  than  ever." 

"Doubtless  he  will  be  much  disappointed,"  says 
Jack ;  "  but  he  will  see  the  real  reason  as  quick  as  the 
rest  of  us,  and,  as  he  would  not  think  of  asking  any 
one  else  to  give  way  in  his  favor,  he  will  take  it  as  it  is 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  29 

meant."  And  the  adjutant  looks  squarely  at  his  supe 
rior  as  he  says  it. 

Canker  doesn't  half  like  the  ambiguity  of  the  reply ; 
but  after  scrutinizing  the  features  of  his  junior  in  a 
quick,  furtive  glance,  he  says,  hurriedly, — 

"  Of  course,  certainly ;  but  if  any  of  the  subaltern 
officers  who  are  going  were  to  remain  here  in  his  stead, 
then  I  would  be  willing  to  let  Glenham  go.  However, 
I  suppose  every  man  has  set  his  heart  on  attending 
those  balls,  and  there  will  be  no  chance  of  that." 

"  Every  man,  to  my  knowledge,  is  very  eager  to  go," 
replies  Jack,  "  but  I  presume  I  may  say  to  Glenham 
that  if  some  one  of  the  lieutenants  will  stay  and  take 
his  place,  he  can  leave  with  the  party  at  reveille." 

"Oh,  certainly,  certainly/'  replies  Canker.  And 
with  that  and  the  conviction  that  nobody  will  make 
any  such  quixotic  offer,  he  presently  says  "  good-night," 
and  goes  off  homeward. 

His  footsteps  are  no  sooner  out  of  hearing  than 
Truscott  rises  and  strolls  out  upon  the  piazza.  The  si 
lence  of  night  has  fallen  upon  Camp  Sandy.  The 
bright  stars  are  twinkling  aloft  through  the  rare,  cloud 
less  atmosphere.  Here  and  there  along  the  company 
quarters  a  gleam  of  light  streams  out  through  open 
doorway  or  window  upon  the  parade,  and  some  half- 
dozen  of  the  men  are  droning  a  sentimental  ditty  in  a 
style  uncultivated,  but  apparently  satisfactory  to  them 
selves.  Far  across  the  parade,  along  officers'  row,  the 
lights  are  more  frequent,  and  an  occasional  burst  of 
musical  laughter,  the  soft  tinkle  of  a  guitar,  and  the 
deeper  voices  of  some  of  the  garrison  beaux,  floating  on 
the  still  night-air,  tell  where  the  usual  party  has  gath- 

3* 


30  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

ered  on  some  one  of  the  broad  piazzas  for  the  evening's 
ration  of  gossip  and  small  talk.  Truscott  sticks  hia 
hands  deep  in  his  pockets,  and,  fixing  his  eyes  on  the 
toe  of  his  boot,  gives  himself  to  solitary  reflection. 
Two  or  three  of  the  greyhounds  rise,  stretch,  yawn, 
then  come  up  to  their  friend  and  poke  their  cool  muz 
zles  against  his  wrists,  and  mutely  plead  for  recognition. 
He  draws  his  hands  from  their  ambush,  and  bestows  a 
few  absent-minded  pats  upon  their  sleek  heads,  em 
boldened  by  which,  two  of  the  lithe  creatures  place 
their  paws  upon  his  breast  and  strive  to  lick  his  face. 
"Down,  Hualpai!  down,  Verde!"  he  protests,  as  he 
brushes  them  off;  then  seeing  their  crestfallen  looks  as 
they  slink  away,  he  whistles  them  back,  whereupon 
they  come,  bounding,  and  Truscott  laughs  to  himself, 
as  he  covers  their  heads  and  flanks  with  hearty  slaps 
of  endearment.  "  Good  boy,  Wally !  good  boy,  Verde ! 
You'd  miss  me,  at  any  rate.  By  Jove,  I'll  do  it !" 
Another  minute  and  he  stepped  into  the  telegraph- 
office,  took  a  couple  of  blanks  from  the  desk,  placed 
them  in  the  ordinary  brown  envelope,  closed  it,  then 
turned  to  the  soldier  operator, — 

"  Corcoran,  several  officers  will  breakfast  in  the  mess  - 
room  at  reveille  to-morrow.  Address  this  envelope  to 
me,  and  bring  it  to  me  there  at  that  time ;  do  you  un 
derstand  ?"  and  with  that  he  left. 

Long  before  the  sun  came  peeping  over  the  Mogol- 
lon  range  (locally  known  as  the  Mogeyone)  on  the  fol 
lowing  morning,  and  even  as  the  mellow  notes  of  the 
cavalry  trumpets  floated  upward  with  the  flag  through 
the  balmy  air,  hailing  the  dawn  with  stirring  reveille, 
a  busy  group,  horses,  mules,  and  men,  were  preparing 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  31 

for  the  start  from  officers'  row.  A  large  ambulance, 
with  its  frisky  four-in-hand  of  sleek,  well-fed  mules, 
was  loading  up  with  baskets,  satchels,  and  trunks  in 
front  of  Captain  Tanner's  quarters,  another,  similarly 
supplied  and  occupied,  stood  at  the  Raymonds'  door. 
In  front  of  bachelor's  hall  were  the  favorite  "  mounts" 
of  Truscott,  Gleuham,  and  Crane,  and  those  of  the 
two  orderlies  who  were  to  accompany  the  party.  The 
orderlies  themselves  were  busily  strapping  on  the  sad 
dle-bags  and  ponchos  of  their  leaders;  for  while  it 
rarely  rained  at  Sandy,  as  has  been  said,  it  might  pour 
in  torrents  before  they  reached  the  Agua  Fria.  In  the 
mess-room  three  or  four  officers  in  riding  dress  were 
hastily  sipping  their  coffee,  when  Glenham,  feverishly 
impatient  as  all  could  see,  rose  hurriedly  from  the  table, 
and  bidding  the  others  make  haste,  strode  to  the  door, 
and  there  bumped  up  against  the  telegraph  operator. 

"For  the  adjutant,"  said  the  latter,  saluting  and 
answering  the  inquiry  in  the  lieutenant's  eye. 

Truscott  received  the  brown  envelope  without  a  word, 
slowly  opened  and  drew  forth  the  contents,  which  he 
glanced  over  with  a  slight  uplifting  of  the  eyebrow, 
and  then  silently  rose  and  walked  off  towards  his  office. 

"Now,  what's  up  ?"  said  Crane.  "  Two  to  one  that 
means  that  a  scout's  to  be  sent  out  right  away, — 
those  cussed  Tontos  must  be  jumping  the  reservation 
again." 

"  If  that  were  the  matter  the  order  would  come  to 
the  '  C.  O.,'  not  to  the  adjutant,"  said  Glenham  ;  "  but 
we  can't  wait ;  it's  time  we  were  off.  I'll  hail  Jack 
and  see  what's  the  matter."  With  that  he  called  his 
orderly,  who  came  up  leading  the  lieutenant's  horse. 


32  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Glenham  quickly  mounted,  and  cantered  across  the 
garrison  after  Truscott,  overtaking  him  at  the  office. 

The  adjutant  turned,  and,  without  giving  his  friend 
time  to  question,  held  out  his  hand.  "  Glenham,  you 
and  Crane  go  ahead ;  I  can't  leave  now,  but  I'll  follow 
as  soon  as  it  is  possible  for  me  to  get  away.  Just  tell 
the  orderly  to  leave  my  saddle-bags  at  the  house  and 
take  '  Apache7  back  to  the  stable.  Off  with  you,  eld 
boy,"  as  Glenham  hesitated,  "  and  good  time  to  you ; 
I'm  going  right  to  the  telegraph-office." 

"  One  second,  Jack :  nothing  serious,  is  it  ?" 
"  Nothing  at  all,  Glenham ;  go  ahead." 
The  ambulances,  with  cracking  whip  and  plunging 
mules,  were  rattling  out  of  the  north  gate ;  fluttering 
white  handkerchiefs  signalled  "come  on;"*  Crane  and 
his  party  were  mounting ;  the  hounds,  leaping,  yelping, 
and  excited,  were  rushing  about  the  parade  in  anticipa 
tion  of  a  chase  up  the  valley.  So  with  one  uneasy, 
half-dissatisfied  glance  at  his  friend,  Glenham  suddenly 
struck  spur  to  his  horse,  wheeled,  and,  with  a  wave  of  his 
hand,  galloped  off  in  pursuit.  Truscott  stopped  at  the 
door  and  gazed  after  the  stout,  bulky  young  knight, 
who  "  bobbed"  clumsily  in  his  saddle  as  he  rode.  A 
smile  half  amused,  half  sorrowful,  stole  over  his  face. 
"  Poor  Arthur,  ten  times  three  years  in  the  riding  hall 
couldn't  have  made  him  a  horseman." 

Three  hours  later  the  commanding  officer  pro  tern,  sat 
in  state  to  receive  the  report  of  the  officer  of  the  day. 
The  trumpets  were  "  turning  off"  the  old  guard,  and 
two  tall  subalterns  entered  girt  with  sabre  and  precise 
in  dress.  Acknowledging  the  salute  of  the  first,  and 
reaching  out  his  hand  to  receive  the  guard  report  book, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  33 

Captain  Canker  looked  up  in  amaze  at  the  familiar  face 
and  form  of  the  adjutant,  who  calmly  raised  hand  to 
cap  visor  and  remarked,  "  I  report  as  new  officer  of  the 
day,  sir." 

Canker  reddened  and  stammered  for  a  moment,  then 
hurriedly  stuttered,  "  You  are  not  required  to  perform 
guard  duty,  sir.  It  is  Mr.  Glenham's  turn.  Where 
is  he,  sir?" 

"  Well  on  his  way  to  Prescott,  captain.  You  were 
so  good  as  to  say  that  he  could  go  if  any  one  of  the 
subalterns  would  remain  and  take  his  duties.  I  do 
that,  sir." 


34  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 


CHAPTER   III. 

PERCHED  aloft  in  the  very  summit  of  a  glorious 
mountain  range,  yet  nestling  in  the  shelter  of  pine- 
covered  heights  sweeping  in  circle  around  it,  watered 
by  the  purest  and  coldest  of  running  streams,  and  rev 
elling  in  an  atmosphere  bracing  and  clear  as  only  a 
Sierran  atmosphere  can  be,  the  little  town  of  Prescott 
and  the  outlying  post  of  Fort  Whipple  owed  to  nature 
all  their  attractiveness.  They  were  embowered  in  a 
veritable  oasis,  for,  whether  from  east  or  west,  north 
or  south,  miles  of  desert  sand  or  sterile  and  volcanic 
rock  had  to  be  traversed  before  the  eye  of  the  traveller 
rested  upon  the  glad  sight  of  something  like  civilized 
homes.  In  the  days  of  which  we  write  San  Francisco 
lay  three  weeks'  journey  away,  and  more  than  a  month, 
unless  one  took  a  bumping  trip  to  the  railway  by 
l(  buckboard,"  was  occupied  in  the  devious  route  to  the 
Atlantic  States.  •  Rugged  miners,  savage  Apaches,  root- 
grubbing  Digger  Indians,  swarthy  Mexicans,  and  prowl 
ing  coyotes  were  the  inhabitants  apparently  indigenous 
to  the  soil,  but  to  prey  upon  their  necessities  those 
pioneers  of  civilization,  the  shop-keeping  Israelites,  had 
established  the  inevitable  "  slop-shop,"  and  those  pre 
cursors  of  settlement,  the  scum  and  froth  borne  ever 
upon  the  outermost  wave  of  the  great  tide  of  emigra 
tion,  the  bar-  and  gambling-hell-keepers,  had  planted 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  35 

their  vile  booths  around  the  plaza,  and  stood  guard 
with  self-cocking  revolver  over  their  stock  in  trade  ere 
ever  the  outlines  of  that  plaza  were  staked, 

A  governor  in  course  of  time  had  been  duly  expa 
triated  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the  United  States 
in  this  hopelessly  turbulent  neighborhood,  and  for  some 
years  twice  the  realized  revenue  was  spent  in  keeping 
up  communication  with  his  exiled  excellency.  Event 
ually,  as  a  means  of  recruiting  a  population  fast  killing 
itself  off,  to  the  no  great  detriment  of  society  in  general, 
but  the  undoubted  jeopardy  of  the  commercial  interests 
of  those  merchants  who  had  shipped  their  goods  thither 
in  hopes  of  fabulous  profit,  a  few  lodes  were  duly 
"salted"  by  experienced  hands  of  Californian  educa 
tion,  the  inflammatory  announcement  was  made  that 
Arizona  was  teeming  with  mineral  wealth,  and  gold, 
silver,  copper,  and  iron  could  be  picked  up  by  the 
bucketful.  A  swarm  of  eager  adventurers  pushed  in  to 
try  their  luck,  and  having  invested  their  last  shilling  in 
the  attempt,  were  compelled  to  stick  there  and  swindle 
others  into  coming  and  doing  likewise,  and  finally  it 
was  brought  about  that  three  regiments  and  a  brigadier- 
general  of  the  United  States  army  had  to  be  scattered 
broadcast  over  this  barren  land  to  whip  into  subjection 
the  Apache  hordes,  who  looked  with  not  undeserved 
hatred  upon  the  original  white  invaders,  and  one  of 
ihese  regiments  was  so  composed  of  horses  and  men  as 
to  comply  with  the  generally  accepted  requirements 
which  in  this  country  entitle  it  to  the  designation  of 
cavalry. 

Two  years  of  sharp  work  and  stubborn  fighting  in 
the  mountains  had  won  for  the  — th  the  peace  they 


36  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

were  now  enjoying,  but  had  effected  many  important 
changes  on  their  muster-rolls.  Some  of  their  best  and 
bravest  had  been  sacrificed  in  the  thankless  task,  and 
bright  hopes,  buoyant,  loyal,  gallant  hearts,  lay  buried 
under  the  worthless  soil  with  no  other  honors  than  their 
comrades'  parting  volley,  no  other  notice  than  the  pithy 
explanation  of  the  yearly  register  in  its  list  of  casual 
ties,  "Killed  in  affair  with  Indians,"  every  bit  as  com 
plimentary  and  gratifying  to  mourning  widow  or 
stricken  parent  as  though  it  read  "  in  pothouse  brawl." 
What  though  the  regiment  could  tell  (when  it  chose  to 
talk  of  those  things)  of  deeds  of  heroism  that  rivalled 
the  blazoned  records  of  the  great  war  or  matched  the 
later  knightliness  of  Beresford  at  Ulundi?  What 
though  in  hand-to-hand  encounter  young  striplings 
from  the  Point  had  won  their  spurs  or  received  their 
death- wound,  and  dying  had,  like  Philip  Sydney, 
spurned  the  cooling  drink  craved  in  their  burning 
agony  that  an  humbler  comrade,  needing  it  more  than 
they  who  could  but  die,  might  drink  and  live  ?  What 
though  in  the  proud,  yet  untold  record  of  their  cam 
paigns,  thirst  and  starvation,  bitter  cold  and  scorching 
heat,  lonely  death  in  a  distant  land,  the  torture  of  car 
riage  through  miles  of  mountain  wilderness  that  fester 
ing  wounds  might  receive  the  care  only  to  be  looked 
for  days'  journey  away,  all  were  borne  uncomplainingly, 
unflinchingly  for  duty's  sake  ?  What  though  not  one 
defeat  had  marred  the  wreath  of  hard-won  conquests, 
that  never  had  officer  or  man  like  craven  Gary  turned 
his  back  upon  wounded  friend  or  advancing  foe? 
What  mattered  it  that  their  general,  himself  as  reckless 
in  exposure  as  their  hardiest  trooper,  sought  again  and 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  37 

again  the  recognition  their  deeds  demanded  ?  An  all- 
powerful  if  not  all- wise  Congress  had  decreed  that 
Indian  warfare  was  not  war  in  the  sense  that  permitted 
any  honor  or  reward  to  be  extended  to  its  participants. 
As  a  Western  and  consequently  friendly  Representative 
once  put  it,  a  man  might  sit  in  an  easy-chair  through 
four  years  of  a  great  rebellion,  and  without  ever  hear 
ing  the  whistle  of  a  bullet  be  "  brevetted"  all  the  way 
up  from  captain  to  major-general,  but  let  him  get  shot 
into  smithereens  in  hand-to-hand  struggle  with  the 
Indians  of  our  mountains  and  prairies,  why,  that  wasn't 
war  said  the  Senate,  and  so  the  recommendations  of 
the  general  and  the  nominations  of  the  President  went 
into  the  Congressional  waste-basket,  and  except  the 
copper-bronze  medal  worn  by  some  few  enlisted  men, — 
an  affair  similar  in  appearance  and  presumably  equal 
in  intrinsic  value  to  the  old-fashioned  cent, — the  regi 
ment  had  gone  unrewarded. 

But  peaceful  times  seemed  to  have  come.  Band  after 
band  of  hostile  Apaches  had  surrendered  and  been 
gathered  on  the  reservations.  Scouting  expeditions 
became  infrequent,  visits  began  to  be  exchanged  be 
tween  the  detached  posts,  and  at  department  head 
quarters  balls  and  "  hops"  were  of  weekly  occurrence. 
The  arrival  of  ladies  from  the  States  brought  about  a 
revival  in  the  latent  interest  in  Eastern  fashions,  fem 
inine  conversations  became  less  intelligible  to  masculine 
ears,  and  feminine  garments  as  noted  at  the  dancing- 
parties  became  scant  as  to  skirt  and  entangling  as  to 
trains.  Those  heroines  who  had  gone  into  Arizona 
with  the  — th  had  originally  astonished  the  Mexican 
Befloritas  by  the  balloon-like  expansions  of  dress-goods 

4 


38  THE   COLON  BUS  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

worn  just  below  the  small  of  the  back,  alluded  to  as 
paniers,  and  maintained  in  position  by  "  bustles." 
Now  it  seemed  that  a  new  order  of  things  was  to  come 
into  vogue,  and  Mrs.  Wilkins,  an  exponent  in  fashions, 
whatever  she  might  be  in  linguistics,  had  already  won 
enviable  distinction  by  appearing  at  Sandy  in  what  she 
assured  her  friends  to  be  the  "  very  latest  style  of 
po^linay."  The  other  ladies  readily  forgave  the  brief 
ascendency  thus  acquired  in  consideration  of  the  sly 
merriment  occasioned  by  her  unconscious  slaughter  of 
the  proper  name. 

And  so  it  happened  that  all  was  jollity  in  the  Ter 
ritory  when  Grace  Pelham  arrived  at  Prescott,  and  so 
it  chanced  that  two  nights  after  her  arrival  there  were 
gathered  from  far  and  near,  from  Bowie,  Lowell, 
Apache,  and  Grant,  along  the  southern  line  of  posts, 
from  Yuma  and  Mohave,  from  all  over  Arizona  little 
squads  of  officers  and  ladies,  eager  as  children,  after 
their  long  exile,  to  join  in  the  festivities  consequent 
upon  the  coming  of  her  ladyship  and  the  colonel's 
daughter. 

The  day  of  the  staff  ball  had  come.  Every  instant 
of  Grace's  waking  hours  had  been  occupied  with  re 
ceiving  visits,  driving,  riding,  and  dining.  The  dele 
gation  from  Sandy  went  en  masse.)  as  soon  as  the  proper 
toilets  could  be  effected  after  the  rough  and  dusty  drive, 
to  pay  its  respects  to  madame  and  to  loyally  welcome 
the  younger  lady.  Glenham,  a  radiant,  intensified 
Glenham,  was  already  there,  and  there  the  ladies  and 
their  lords  left  him  when  they  retired  to  their  temporary 
homes.  "He's  simply  dead  in  love  with  her,"  said 
Mrs.  Raymond  to  Mesdames  Turner  and  Wilkins. 


WINNING  IIIS  SPURS.  39 

"  Yes/'  said  Mrs.  Wilkins,  "  and  her  ladyship's  dead 
in  love  with  his  money,"  and  somehow  or  other  Mrs. 
Pelham  was  duly  informed  of  the  remark  before  the 
setting  of  a  second  sun. 

Glenham  was  dead  in  love  with  her.  From  morning 
till  night  he  hung  about  the  girl ;  he  it  was  who  secured 
the  first  ride,  the  only  one  before  the  ball ;  he  who  was 
accepted  as  her  escort  thereto;  he  who  accompanied  her 
to  the  croquet  ground  or  band  concert,  who  alone  of  the 
subalterns  was  invited  to  the  general's  house  to  sit  by 
the  side  of  the  sweet,  fair  guest  and  dine  with  them  en 
famille. 

"It's  a  put-up  job,"  said  the  slangy  and  sulky  young 
fellows  who  were  vainly  striving  to  "  cut  in"  and  catch 
an  unoccupied  moment ;  but  between  them  and  the  ap 
parently  unconscious  object  there  ever  interposed  that 
placidly  smiling,  imperturbably  watchful  mother  ("that 
confounded  old  tabby,"  said  Ray  of  Camp  Cameron). 
It  was  all  plain  sailing  for  Glenham,  all  rock,  shoal, 
and  sand-bar  for  them. 

"But  where's  Truscott?"  said  Colonel  Pelham,  sud 
denly,  the  morning  of  the  ball ;  and  with  a  pang  of 
self-reproach,  Arthur  Glenham  for  the  first  time  re 
membered  that  his  friend  was  left  behind.  "  A  tele 
gram  reached  him  just  as  we  were  starting,"  he  ex 
plained,  "  and  he  said  it  would  be  impossible  for 
him  to  start  until  later.  He  made  us  come  on  with 
out  him,  but  I  surely  thought  he  would  be  here  last 
night." 

"'Deed  and  you're  wrong  there,  Mr.  Glenham," 
broke  in  Mrs.  Wilkins.  "  I  can  tell  you  the  whole 
thing  in  a  jiffy,  colonel.  With  Captain  Canker  in  com 


40  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

mand  there  was  no  chance  of  little  Glenham's  getting 
away,  and  it's  just  my  belief  that  Mr.  Truscott  stayed 
back  in  his  place.  Ah,  Miss  Gracie,"  she  added,  mis 
chievously,  "  there's  one  young  man  that  don't  come  to 
his  knees  even  for  you."  After  which  graceful  piece 
of  badinage  the  lady  confronted  Lady  Pel  ham,  and  the 
two  dames  squarely  met  one  another's  glance,  the  war 
began  right  there. 

In  the  silence  that  followed  Glenham  stood  like  one 
in  a  maze,  the  colonel  turned  sharply  on  his  heel  and 
left  the  room.  Ray  and  Captain  Tanner  nearly  col 
lided  with  him  in  the  hall,  and  came  in  upon  the  group 
wondering  what  old  Catnip  was  damning  that  man 
Canker  for  this  time. 

Half  an  hour  later  Captain  Canker,  seated  in  the 
adjutant's  office  at  Camp  Sandy,  received  a  dispatch  by 
telegraph  in  these  words:  "Department  commander 
desires  Lieutenant  Truscott's  presence  to-night,  unless 
services  urgently  needed."  Canker  ground  his  teeth, 
threw  the  paper  to  the  adjutant,  thrust  his  hands  in  his 
pockets,  and  strode  to  the  door.  There  he  turned  and 
angrily  spoke,  "  You  can  go,  of  course,  but  this  is  a 
damned  piece  of  interference  on  somebody's  part." 
Truscott  glanced  at  the  telegram  and  went  on  with  his 
writing  without  a  word. 

Canker  walked  away  half  across  the  parade,  then 
stopped,  pondered  a  moment,  and  returned.  "Mr. 
Truscott,  I  can't  spare  any  more  teams  or  men.  If 
you  go  you  must  ride,  and  you  cannot  take  your  or 
derly.  I  don't  intend  to  allow  government  horses  to 
be  ruined  by  fifty-mile  gallops  while  I'm  in  command," 
and  with  that  he  was  off. 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  4} 

Truscott  looked  at  the  clock,  sent  a  few  lines  to  his 
servant,  finished  his  work,  and,  as  the  noonday  sun  beat 
hotly  down,  with  Sandy  far  behind,  he  crossed  the  first 
range  and  rode  rapidly  over  into  the  gorge  of  Cherry 
Creek — alone, 


42  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 


CHAPTER    IV,  - 

THE  ball  was  at  its  height.  The  well-waxed  floor, 
on  which  the  post  quartermaster  had  lavished  his  finest 
boarding,  and  enthusiastic  bachelor  officers  hours  of 
individual  supervision  and  personal  effort,  shone  like 
satin,  and  rendered  all  bur  ihose  who  were  thoroughly 
experienced  vaguely  nervous  and  reluctant  about  join 
ing  in  the  most  solemn  of  square  dances.  Around  the 
walls,  draped  with  flag  and  guidon,  and  glittering  with 
sabre  and  scroll-work,  were  interspersed  dozens  of 
lamps  with  polished  reflectors.  Candles  and  kerosene 
furnished  all  the  illumination  that  sun  or  moon  with 
held,  despite  official  edicts  against  volatile  and  explo 
sive  oils.  Crude  and  warlike  as  may  have  been  the 
decorations,  never  did  the  "  swellest"  German  at  Del- 
monico's  present  much  better  music  or  any  better 
dancing  than  was  to  be  found  at  the  large  garrisons  of 
the  frontier,  and  certainly  for  genuine  enjoyment  an 
army  ball  yields  the  palm  to  no  other.  An  army  lady 
never  becomes  a  wall-flower.  She  has  this  one  com 
pensation  for  marrying  in  the  service.  After  two  or 
three  seasons  in  the  great  cities  of  the  East  even  the 
prettiest  girl  becomes  to  society  people  passee,  and, 
once  married,  only  when  exceptionally  attractive  and 
brilliant  does  she  continue  to  be  sought  as  a  partner; 
but,  owing  probably  to  the  dearth  of  young  and  un- 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  43 

married  ladies,  the  army  wife  retains  all  the  hold  she 
ever  had  upon  bellehood,  even  increases  it  in  many  in 
stances,  and  the  bright  and  witty  and  dancing  woman, 
though  her  children  be  tall  as  herself,  never  lacks  for 
"attention."  As  for  the  army  girl,  with  any  viva 
city,  with  any  pretensions  to  beauty  or  grace,  she  lives 
and  moves  a  queen. 

And  so  the  ball-room  was  filled  with  dancers ;  the 
sombre  uniforms  of  the  staff  and  the  infantry,  the 
gayer  trappings  of  the  cavalry,  the  aiguillettes  of  the 
aides-de-camp  mingling  with  many  an  exquisite  toilet 
that  would  have  shone  resplendent  in  the  distant  East. 
It  was  long  after  midnight,  supper  had  been  served, 
even  the  musicians,  in  detachments,  had  been  fed  and 
otherwise  comforted,  some  few  elders  had  slipped  away 
and  gone  homeward,  but  the  ringing  music  of  "  Le  Roi 
Garotte"  sent  ten  full  "  sets"  through  the  figures  of  the 
Lancers,  and  compelled  many  a  staid  spectator  to  beat 
time  with  his  feet.  Many  a  group  of  lookers-on 
watched  the  spirited  movement  of  the  dance  from  cor 
ner  and  doorway,  while  out  in  the  "  club-room,"  where 
numbers  of  the  senior  officers  and  non-dancing  civil 
ians  from  Prescott  had  gathered  for  a  smoke,  many  a 
time  had  beaming  Colonel  Pelham  to  touch  glasses  with 
friend  or  comrade  who  came  to  congratulate  him  on  the 
arrival  of  madame,  and  to  say,  with  serio-comic  earn 
estness,  "By  Jove,  Pelham,  if  I  were  twenty  years 
younger  there  would  be  another  victim  on  Grade's 
list." 

Well  might  they  do  her  homage.  Confessedly  pretty 
before,  Grace  Pelham  was  simply  lovely,  radiant,  to 
night.  Taller  perhaps  than  many  girls  of  her  age, 


44  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

yet  not  above  the  average  height,  with  a  form  slender, 
willowy,  and  graceful,  there  was  a  queenliness  in  her 
bearing  that  distinguished  her  even  in  her  girlhood. 
Perhaps  this  was  due  to  the  carriage  of  her  royal  head, 
for  that  was  Grade's  glory.  Small  and  shapely,  it  was 
crowned  with  a  wealth  of  soft  shining  hair,  the  richest 
hue  of  golden  brown,  shot  with  radiant  lights  and 
tints  of  reddish  bronze.  Who  could  tell  its  color? 
"Red,  of  course,"  said  Mrs.  Wilkins  at  first  sight. 
"  Chestnut  sorrel/'  said  Captain  Turner,  who  loved  the 
color  as  that  of  the  mount  of  his  company.  "  Golden 
bronze,"  said  Ray  of  Camp  Cameron  ;  and  the  "  bonni 
est  brown  in  the  world,"  said  a  poetical  aide-de-camp. 
All  about  her  pure  white  forehead  and  temples  it  clus 
tered  in  shimmering  little  curls,  each  with  a  halo  of  its 
own.  Thence,  brushed  smoothly  back,  it  was  gath 
ered  in  one  massive  knot,  mantling,  yet  disclosing  the 
perfect  shape  of  the  head  it  graced. 

"  A  thing  to  be  braided  and  jewelled  and  kissed, 
'Twas  the  loveliest  hair  in  the  world,  my  pet," 

was  poor  Glenham's  constant  thought  of  it,  and  all  too 
soon  that  of  more  than  one  other. 

But  Grace's  glories  ended  not  here.  The  dark  eye 
brows  which  spanned  her  forehead  were  full,  boldly 
marked,  yet  but  slightly  curved,  and  underneath  the 
brows,  curtained  with  lids  of  purest  white,  shaded  and 
fringed  with  lashes  long,  thick,  and  curling,  were  eyes 
so  large,  so  soft,  yet  so  ready  to  flash  with  merriment 
or  sparkle  with  animation,  that  to  look  into  their  dark 
depths  was  enough  to  make  more  than  one  young  fel- 


WINNING   IIIS  SPURS.  4£ 

lo\v  long  to  see  them  melt  with  tenderness.  Like  her 
hair,  Grace  Pelham's  eyes  were  indescribable  in  color, 
for  they  too  were  shot  with  odd  little  gleams  of  golden 
light.  "  Yellow,  you  know ;  real  like  cats,"  said  Mrs. 
Wilkins,  and  yet  those  eyes  were  lovely.  Lovely  in 
the  frank,  fearless  innocence  of  their  gaze ;  lovely  in 
the  truth  and  purity  of  soul  that  shone  through  evory 
glance ;  lovely  in  the  thought  and  earnestness  of  their 
expression ;  lovely  despite  the  dash  of  yellow  in  their 
hazel  brown ;  lovely  enough  to  be  declared  her  very 
best  feature,  unless  the  sweet  soft  mouth  were  excepted. 
Once  before  in  his  lifetime  the  narrator  had  seen  such 
eyes  as  Grace  Pelham's,  but  not  once  a  mouth  like  hers. 
Closed,  it  was  the  perfection  of  Cupid's  bow,  so  uner 
ringly  had  nature  stamped  thereon  the  utmost  grace  of 
curve  and  line.  Even  the  point  in  the  short  upper  lip 
was  as  exact  as  though  modelled  from  the  marble  of 
Praxiteles.  Around  the  corners  were  clustered  such 
shy  little  curves  and  ripples  that — that  looking  was 
longing;  and  when  Gracie  smiled,  white,  even  teeth 
flashed  through  their  roseate  frame-work.  Her  mouth 
was  always  an  attractive  feature,  but  simply  exquisite 
in  repose.  Du  reste  ? — a  fair  oval  face,  a  straight, 
"  thorough-bred"  nose,  a  delicately  modelled  chin  with 
its  faint  suspicion  of  lurking  dimple,  a  throat  and  neck 
white  and  soft  and  spotless,  and  hands  and  feet  long, 
slender,  the  former  at  least  fragile-looking  and  softly 
white.  "  Too  thin  and  scrawny  to  my  taste/7  said  Mrs. 
Wilkins,  redundant  in  person  as  she  was  in  criticism. 
"  The  sweetest  girl  in  the  army,  Nellie  Blossom  not 
excepted,"  said  Lieutenant  Ray,  as  he  gazed  at  her 
through  the  canopied  entrance  to  the  ball-room,  and 


i6  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

then  sighing  profoundly  as  he  contemplated  the  mort 
gaged  condition  of  his  pay  accounts,  turned  back  into 
the  club-room. 

Not  a  vacancy  was  there  on  Grace's  card  that  night, 
and  though  she  showed  no  favor,  kept  no  waltz  or  galop 
for  one  who  might  prove  a  better  partner  than  another, 
she  had  engagements  for  every  number  from  first  to 
last  before  she  had  been  half  an  hour  in  the  ball-room. 
Glen  ham  as  her  escort  had  seized  upon  the  card,  and, 
with  boyish  selfishness,  scribbled  his  initials  in  five  dif 
ferent  places.  Later  in  the  night,  finding  new  appli 
cants  for  her  hand  who  protested  against  being  com 
pelled  to  go  home  without  one  dance  with  the  belle  of 
the  evening,  she  had  laughingly  summoned  her  cav 
alier  and  notified  him  that  he  must  yield  at  least  two 
of  his  claims  in  favor  of  the  unprovided-for  applicants, 
a  thing  that  young  Arthur  most  grudgingly  acceded  to. 

Waltz,  lanciers,  quadrille,  and  galop  succeeded  one 
another  in  rapid  succession  as  the  night  wore  on,  and 
still  even  matrons  and  "  chaperons"  danced  untiringly ; 
still  some  new  sweet  strain  from  Paolo's  orchestra 
would  call  the  half- wearied  ones  again  to  the  glassy 
floor.  There  was  marked  diminution  among  the  spec 
tators  at  the  windows  where,  earlier  in  the  evening, 
dozens  of  the  soldiers  and  the  soldiers'  wives  had  gath 
ered  to  feast  their  eyes  upon  the  scene  within.  There 
was  hardly  an  elderly  man  among  the  dancers,  yet  the 
sets  continued  full,  and  the  spirit  and  movement  un 
tiring. 

It  must  have  been  late  in  the  morning,  past  three 
o'clock,  when,  after  a  genuine  romp  through  the  merry 
figures  of  the  army  quadrille,  the  dancers  hurried  out 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  47 

in  couples  to  the  club-rooms  for  a  breath  of  fresh  air 
and  a  sip  of  punch  or  lemonade,  as  tastes  might  de 
mand.  Among  them  strolled  Grace  with  her  partner, 
an  aide-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  the  commanding  gen 
eral,  and  with  him  she  stopped  one  moment  at  a  table 
where  Colonel  Pelham,  with  three  or  four  oldsters,  was 
deep  in  a  game  of  whist.  The  colonel  looked  fondly 
up  into  her  sweet  flushed  happy  face,  and  taking  the 
hand  she  had  rested  lightly  on  his  shoulder,  pressed  it 
to  his  cheek,  as  he  inquired, — 

"  Having  a  good  time,  daughter  ?  Any  of  these 
boys  dance  any  better  than  your  father  could  fifteen 
years  ago  ?"  Whereat  everybody  laughed.  "  Fact," 
he  continued ;  "  I  wouldn't  mind  trying  a  tilt  with  the 
majority  of  them  now,  except  Kay  or  Truscott.  How 
does  Truscott  dance,  Grade?" 

"I  haven't  met  him,  father.     Is  he  here  to-night?" 

" Here !"  exclaimed  the  colonel.  "Whylisn't  he? 
General,"  he  cried,  turning  suddenly  to  another  table, 
Avhere,  all  alone,  sat  the  chief,  absorbed,  as  was  his  wont, 
in  a  game  of  solitaire.  "  General,  hasn't  Truscott  re 
ported?  I  declare  I  had  forgotten." 

"  Not  to  me,"  said  the  chief,  looking  up  with  an  ex 
pression  of  evident  anxiety.  "  Where's  Wickham  ?" 
A  soldierly,  black-haired,  black-bearded  officer  stepped 
quickly  to  him.  "  Wickham,  didn't  you  get  reply  to 
the  dispatch  to  Sandy  about  Mr.  Truscott  ?" 

"  Yes,  general.  Truscott  left  the  post  before  ten  this 
morning." 

Grace  noticed  a  sudden  twitch  of  the  arm  of  the 
aide-de-camp  on  which  her  hand  was  resting.  Looking 
quickly  up,  she  saw  him  biting  at  the  heavy  moustache 


48  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

which  shaded  his  mouth,  though  his  sharp,  eager  eyes 
were  fixed  upon  the  general's  face. 

"  I  don't  understand  it,"  said  Pelham,  gravely.  "  It's 
a  long,  rough,  fifty-mile  ride,  but  Truscott  has  often 
made  it  in  ten  hours." 

"  Pardon  me,  Miss  Pelham,"  quietly  spoke  the  aide- 
de-camp.  "  There  goes  the  waltz  you  promised  Evans, 
and  he  will  be  tearing  things  to  pieces  in  his  efforts  to 
find  you  if  we  don't  get  back  to  the  ball-room."  And 
with  that  he  led  her  quickly  away,  talking  laughingly, 
but  in  three  minutes  he  was  back  beside  his  chief,  and 
a  hurried  conversation  took  place  in  a  low  tone. 

"No,  gentlemen,"  Colonel  Pelham  was  saying,  in 
answer  to  a  suggestion  from  the  card-table,  "  it's  no 
case  of  a  lost  shoe  or  a  lame  horse.  Truscott  never  was 
known  to  lame  a  horse  or  to  start  with  a  loose  shoe. 
Something  has  gone  wrong,  or  he  would  have  been 
'here  before  ten  o'clock,  and  now  it's  half-past  three." 
Another  minute,  and  after  some  muttered  words  with 
the  general,  Wickham  and  the  aide-de-camp  silently 
slipped  out  of  the  room. 

Even  the  Pelham  ball  (as  it  was  long  afterwards 
termed  among  the  participants)  had  to  come  to  an  end 
some  time.  Yet  it  was  after  four  o'clock  when  the  last 
waltz  found  still  a  dozen  enthusiastic  dancers  gliding 
about  the  room,  and  the  performer  on  the  double-bass 
falling  asleep  to  the  droning  accompaniment  of  his  own 
music,  was  aroused  by  a  kick  to  the  consciousness  that 
his  comrades  were  playing  "Home,  Sweet  Home," 
while  he  was  still  sawing  away  at  his  part  of  u  Kiinstler 
Leben."  From  first  to  last  it  had  been  one  glowing 
triumph  for  Grace,  and  her  ladyship  had  listened  with 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  49 

pardonable  and  parental  pride  to  many  a  tribute  to  her 
daughter's  beauty,  her  winning  ways,  and  unaffected 
manner.  Now,  as  fleecy  wraps  were  being  donned 
previous  to  venturing  forth  into  the  sharp  morning  air, 
Mrs.  Pelham  stood  at  the  door  of  the  dressing-room 
exchanging  last  good-nights  with  those  who  had  lingered 
to  the  end.  Of  these  were  our  Camp  Sandy  party,  one 
and  all  indefatigable  dancers,  except  Lieutenant  Wil- 
kins  who  had  long  since  been  snoring  with  his  head  on 
his  arms  in  a  sheltered  corner  of  the  card-room ;  but 
even  the  asperity  of  his  better-half  had  melted  under 
the  genial  influences  of  such  music,  such  partners,  and 
such  punch,  and  for  once  she  had  spared  him  public 
reprimand;  but  the  sight  of  her  ladyship,  smiling, 
portly,  and  majestic,  showering  confidential  salutations 
upon  her  intimates  and  condescension  upon  the  juniors, 
was,  as  she  happily  expressed  it,  "  the  red  rag  for  my 
bull,"  and  once  more  the  matrons  met  with  a  clash,  and 
one  incident  occurred  to  mar  the  equanimity  with  which 
Mrs.  Pelham  had  witnessed  her  daughter's  triumph. 
It  had  required  no  keenness  of  perception  throughout 
the  evening  to  note  how  thoroughly  she  bad  kept  Grace 
and  her  partners  under  view ;  how  eagerly  she  watched 
the  devotion  of  Glenham ;  how  frowningly  the  atten 
tions  of  such  ineligibles  as  Ray,  Evans,  Hunter,  and 
the  like  had  been  regarded ;  for  poor  as  those  youngsters 
might  have  been  in  pocket,  in  point  of  personal  attrac 
tions  poor  Glenham  had  little  to  offer  in  competition 
with  them. 

"  Ah,  Mrs.  Pelham,"  said  Mrs.  Wilkins,  halting  in 
front  of  the  colonel's  wife,  "  Miss  Gracie  has  won  all 
hearts  to-night.     I  predict  it  won't  be  long  before  we 
c       d  5 


50  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

have  a  grand  wedding  at  this  rate.  Sure  all  the  young 
fellows  will  be  cutting  one  another's  throats  if  she 
isn't  married  inside  of  the  year." 

Amazed  at  the  effrontery  of  her  manner,  as  well  as 
stung  by  its  fearlessness,  Mrs.  Pelharn's  portly  bosom 
swelled  with  wrath,  and  the  color  surged  to  her  fore 
head.  In  the  desperately  hopeless  effort  of  crushing 
her  foe  with  an  overwhelming  hauteur,  she  replied, — 

"It  is  to  be  hoped,  Mrs.  Wilkins,  that  my  daughter 
will  have  too  much  character  to  rush  into  any  such 
matrimonial  gulf  as  you  suggest.  She  will  be  guided 
by  her  parents,  not  by  freak  or  fancy,  and  need  be  in 
no  hurry." 

"  'Deed  and  you're  right,  Mrs.  Pelham ;  she'll  never 
be  in  a  hurry  so  long  as  only  such  brainless  boys  as 
Glenham  are  allowed  to  approach  her.  But  wait  till 
men  like  Truscott  step  in.  It's  her  father's  own 
daughter  she'll  be  then,  or  I'm  mistaken."  And  a 
sarcastic  laugh  was  the  only  rejoinder  her  ladyship  had 
time  to  make  before  Glenham  and  Grace  appeared  at 
her  side;  but  wrath  was  in  her  heart  and  vengeance 
plotting  in  her  brain  as  she  turned  to  her  escort. 

It  was  so  new  to  her  to  be  braved  and  badgered  this 
way  by  a  woman  vastly  her  inferior  in  social  station ; 
the  wife  of  an  officer,  to  be  sure,  but  that  officer  but 
an  old  lieutenant  of  her  husband's  regiment,  a  man 
who,  having  rendered  his  country  good  service  during 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  had  thankfully  accepted  a 
second  lieutenancy  in  the  regular  cavalry  at  its  close. 
He  and  his  sharp -sigh  ted,  razor-tongued  wife  had 
"joined"  together  in  J67,  and  long  association  among 
ladies  of  refinement  and  culture  had  only  slightly 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  51 

dulled  the  edges  of  her  uncouthness;  but  she  was  a 
prudent,  saving,  and  thrifty  woman  in  her  household ; 
had  been  a  far  more  valuable  helpmeet  to  patient, 
plodding  Wilkins  than  he  knew,  and,  except  when  in 
dulging  in  a  fit  of  ill  temper  and  consequent  explosive- 
ness  of  language,  she  kept  his  home  in  reasonable  com 
fort  and  his  children  in  excellent  dress  and  discipline. 
Policy  she  had,  and  cared  to  have,  none.  She  had 
some  warm  impulses;  was  a  faithful  friend  in  time  of 
trouble  or  illness ;  had  been  a  devoted  nurse  to  young 
Gregg  when  he  was  down  with  the  mountain  fever,  and 
to  Plympton  when  he  was  slowly  recovering  from  the 
wounds  the  pestilent  Apaches  had  inflicted  in  the  last 
fight  he  and  her  husband  had  had  with  them ;  but  the 
moment  another  woman  attempted  to  override  or  ignore 
her  there  rose  in  her  bosom  a  spirit  of  resentment  that 
overswept  all  bounds.  She  had  neither  education  nor 
polish,  but  a  faculty  of  saying  just  what  she  thought, 
and  more  too,  and,  to  use  her  husband's  rueful  admis 
sion,  "She  wasn't  afraid  of  the  devil." 

Still  swelling  with  suppressed  wrath  was  the  colonel's 
wife  when  Lieutenant  Kay,  with  his  cavalry  circular 
("  cape"  as  they  called  it)  thrown  over  his  arm,  re-en 
tered  and  hastily  approached  her.  Well  he  knew  that 
madame  had  more  than  once  that  night  looked  askance 
at  his  attentions  to  Grace ;  possibly,  too,  he  realized  the 
importance  of  seizing  upon  the  opportunity  while  it 
served,  for  his  manner  was  deferential  and  courteous  in 
the  extreme  as  he  bowed  before  her  ladyship.  "  Colonel 
Pelham  has  been  called  off  with  the  general,  madame. 
1  cannot  imagine  what  is  going  on,  but  may  I  not  have 
the  honor  of  escorting  you  home  ?" 


52  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

Now,  here  was  a  young  man  who  properly  appre 
ciated  her  position,  or  his  own  inferiority,  no  matter 
which.  So  lately  dared  by  one  of  her  own  sex,  her 
ladyship's  ruffled  feathers  were  smoothed  by  the  tone 
of  deference  with  which  the  diplomatic  Hay  made 
tender  of  his  services.  Her  flushed  features  unbent  in 
a  smile  of  patronizing  (matronizing  ?)  consent,  and, 
with  a  sweeping  and  comprehensive  good-night  bow  to 
the  throng,  she  accepted  the  subaltern's  arm  and  majes 
tically  left  the  hall. 

Gracie  lingered,  with  Glenham  flitting  impatiently 
about  her.  There  were  so  many  good-nights  to  be  said, 
so  many  repetitious  of  "Just  the  loveliest  ball  ever 
known,"  so  many  projects  for  rides  or  drives  and  dances 
when  they  had  had  time  to  get  over  this  one,  though 
there  was  not  a  belle  present  who  did  not  profess  her 
entire  ability  to  start  right  on  and  begin  all  over  again, 
but  at  last  the  group  broke  away,  and  in  a  few  moments 
Arthur  Glenham  was  leading  his  sweet  partner  up  the 
winding  path  towards  the  general's  house,  and  not  a 
soul  was  within  earshot. 

Brilliantly  the  stars  were  gleaming  in  the  rare  purity 
of  the  Sierran  atmosphere.  Cold  and  calm  and  glit 
tering  they  shone  down  upon  the  dark  pine-crested 
heights,  and  upon  the  dim  valley  in  which  sleeping 
town  and  outlying  cantonment  lay  nestled.  High  aloft 
the  studded  girdle  of  Orion  hung  resplendent  in  the 
zenith,  while  farther  west,  from  the  lowering  front  of 
the  great  Bull,  Aldebaran,  radiant  in  his  isolation,  shone 
sparkling  through  the  silent  skies.  Eastward,  fringing 
the  tumbling,  ragged  outline  of  the  hills,  a  grayish  pal 
lor  overspread  the  firmament,  but  left  in  deeper  shade 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  53 

all  objects  at  their  base.  Here  and  there  along  the 
spur  of  foot-hill  glimmering  lights  betrayed  the  homes 
of  the  officers,  and  lower  down,  midway  across  the  val 
ley,  a  broad  yellow  glare  shot  athwart  the  high  road 
from  the  doors  of  the  post-trader's,  opened  at  that  late 
hour  presumably  for  the  benefit  of  the  drivers  and 
hangers-on  who  had  conveyed  the  guests  from  Prescott, 
but  probably  more  to  the  benefit  of  the  trader  himself, 
for  Arizona  whiskey  is  of  the  vile  vilest.  The  last 
wagon-load  had  rolled  away  towards  town,  the  beat  of 
hoof  and  rumble  of  wheel  dying  in  the  distance  full 
ten  minutes  ago,  and  still  those  enticing  doors  stood 
open,  evidence  of  further  patronage,  yet  no  sound  came 
from  the  usually  noisy  bar-  or  card -room.  All  was  so 
still  that  the  cry  of  the  sentinel's  "Half-past  four 
o'clock  and  a-a-alPs  well"  rang  through  the  frosty  air 
like  notes  of  clarion. 

Along  the  opposite  ridge  the  dim  night-lights  at  the 
hospital  had  given  place  to  some  unwonted  illumination. 
Glenham  and  his  companion  strolling  slowly  up  the 
path  must  have  marked  it,  had  she  known  how  unusual 
a  feature  these  lights  were  at  Whipple,  had  he  marked 
anything  but  the  beauty  of  the  sweet  face  that  enchained 
his  eyes.  For  a  moment  they  paused  midway  up  the 
steep  and  looked  back  towards  the  now  deserted  ball 
room  "  whose  lights  were  fled."  It  lay  in  a  little  val 
ley  midway  between  them  and  a  line  of  low  one-storied 
buildings  on  the  rise  beyond.  Oh,  Glenham,  where 
were  your  eyes  that  you  noted  not  the  lights  moving 
rapidly  to  and  fro  among  them,  the  offices  of  the  adju 
tant-general  and  aides  and  the  telegraph  station?  Where 
were  your  eyes  that  you  saw  not,  still  farther  beyond, 


54  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

the  line  of  windows  in  the  cavalry  quarters,  or,  clown 
in  the  valley  of  the  stream  itself,  the  flitting  lanterns 
in  the  stables  and  corral  ?  Poor  boy  !  he  saw  nothing, 
thought  of  nothing  but  the  face  and  form  beside  him, 
the  glorious  eyes  that  had  haunted  his  dreams  for  two 
long  years.  The  pair  had  stopped  one  brief  moment 
to  look  around  at  the  scene  they  had  so  lately  left,  and 
she,  noting  how  he  had  no  eyes  for  aught  but  her, 
marking  with  woman's  quick  intuition  the  silence  that 
had  taken  possession  of  him,  dreading  the  avowal  she 
knew  must  be  trembling  on  his  lips,  strove  to  move 
on  again,  and  broke  nervously  into  speech,  but  he  re 
sisted  the  gentle  effort,  and  looking  up  she  met  his 
gaze.  With  an  intensity  of  longing  she  had  never 
dreamed  of  seeing  Glenham's  blue  eyes  were  fastened 
passionately  upon  her  face,  drinking  in  her  beauty. 
With  a  quick,  impulsive  movement  he  seized  the 
slender  hand  that  had  lain  upon  his  arm,  and  eagerly, 
brokenly,  almost  sobbingly,  the  words  burst  from  his 
lips,— 

"  Grace !  Gracie !  I  can  wait  no  longer.  You  know 
I  love  you ;  you  must  know  it.  Haven't  you  one  word 
of  hope  for  me  after  all  this  long  time  ?" 

No  time  to  hesitate  now,  no  backward  look  or  step , 
the  plunge  was  taken  ;  the  words  that,  come  what  might, 
could  never  be  forgotten,  were  spoken  irrevocably.  All 
along  she  had  known  they  must  be  said,  though  in 
many  a  gentle  way  she  had  striven  to  give  him  to 
understand  how  hopeless  it  was,  and  now  she  must 
meet  the  words  and,  all  too  late,  turn  them  back. 
Looking  quickly  into  his  quivering  face,  yet  making 
no  effort  to  disengage  the  hand  he  clasped  so  tightly  as 


WINNING  IHS  SPURS.  55 

almost  to  crush,  her  answer  came  like  a  cry  of  pain, 
"  Oh,  Mr.  Glenham !  I  have  tried  so  hard  to  avert 
this.  I  had  hoped,  almost  prayed,  you  had  forgotten 
what — what  you  told  me  at  West  Point." 

For  a  moment  no  further  word  was  spoken.  She 
could  hear  the  heavy  beating  of  his  heart,  the  gasping 
sob  that  rose  to  his  lips,  as,  in  dumb  misery,  his  head 
fell  upon  his  breast. 

"  If  it  had  been  a  thing  I  could  write  of,  I  would 
have  tried  even  harder  to  explain  to  you  why  it  could 
never  be,"  she  presently  went  on  gently,  almost  caress 
ingly,  her  tone  was  so  full  of  sympathy  and  sorrow. 
"  You  remember,  don't  you,  that  I  told  you  two  years 
ago,  when  you  first  spoke  of — of  this,  that,  though  I 
did  like  you,  it  could  only  be  like  ?" 

Mutely  he  bowed  his  head,  then  releasing  her  hands 
he  clasped  his  own,  and  leaned  drearily  against  the  little 
tree  that  stood  beside  the  path.  Then  once  again  his 
head  drooped  upon  his  breast,  and,  with  sudden  move 
ment,  he  covered  his  face  with  his  hands,  and  next 
great  sobs  shook  his  young  frame.  Distressed  beyond 
measure,  alarmed  at  his  violent  grief,  Grace  knew  not 
what  to  do.  The  tears  were  streaming  from  her  own 
eyes  as  she  stretched  forth  her  hands,  and,  clasping 
his  wrist,  strove  to  turn  him  towards  her.  "  It  breaks 
my  heart  to  see  you  suffer  so,  and  yet  I  have  no  words 
to  comfort  you.  Oh,  Arthur,  I  never  deserved  such. 
I  never  thought  it  possible.  Why  did  you  not  believe 
me  when  I  told  you  then  ?  Surely,  I  have  not  let  you 
cherish  this  feeling  for  me." 

Almost  roughly  he  shook  her  hand  away,  and  started 
up.  u  I'm  not  reproaching  you,"  he  said.  "  You  could 


56  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

not  crush  it  out  if  you  had  tried  ten  times  as  hard ; 
but  Grace,  Grace,  I  could  not  help  hoping.    You  were 

so  young  then ;   your  mother No !    I  couldn't 

have  crushed  it  even  if  she  had  not " 

"She!  my  mother!"  broke  in  Grace.  "How  do 
you  mean,  Mr.  Glenham  ?  Mother  could  never  have 
induced  you  to  believe  other  than  what  I  told  you." 

But  Glenham  had  no  time  to  reply ;  a  quick,  springy 
step  was  heard  approaching.  In  the  dim  light  a  sol 
dierly  form  came  swinging  into  the  path,  and,  catching 
sight  of  the  white  "  burnouse"  which  enveloped  Grace's 
throat  and  head,  Lieutenant  Ray  stopped  and  held  out 
his  hand. 

"  Just  in  the  nick  of  time,  Miss  Pelham.  I'm  off 
to  join  my  troop  fast  as  horse  can  take  me.  That  you, 
Glenham  ?  We'll  probably  meet  again  then.  All  you 
Sandy  fellows  are  ordered  out.  The  Tontos  have 
jumped  the  reservation.  Good-by,  Miss  Pelham.  If 
you  miss  the  tassel  of  your  fan  to-morrow  don't  think 
you  lost  it,  I  stole  it  an  hour  ago."  And  with  that 
he  bounded  down  the  path. 

Even  as  he  disappeared  a  ringing  trumpet-call  pealed 
stirringly  through  the  air  the  well-known  signal, 
"  Boots  and  Saddles !"  and  Glenham  started  from  his 
attitude  of  utter  despondency  with  an  exclamation  of 
almost  fierce  delight :  "  Thank  God  for  that, — for  any 
thing  of  the  sort !"  And,  dashing  his  hand  across  his 
eyes,  the  boy  turned  hastily  up  the  path,  leading  his 
startled  companion  by  the  hand. 

"  Tell  me  what  it  means,  Mr.  Glenham,"  she  said, 
as  soon  as  she  could  recover  breath. 

"  More  fighting  and  scouting,  I  suppose.     I  hadn't 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  57 

hoped  for  anything  half  so  good,"  he  added,  biting 
savagely  at  his  lip. 

Two  horses,  held  by  an  orderly,  stood  in  front  of  the 
general's  quarters,  and  the  door  opening  suddenly  gave 
exit  to  the  aide-de-camp  who  had  been  one  of  Grace's 
devotees  during  the  night.  Springing  down  the  steps, 
he  swung  into  the  saddle  before  he  heard  Glenham'a 
hail. 

"  You'll  find  Turner  and  Raymond  over  at  Wick- 
ham's  office,"  was  all  he  had  time  to  say.  "  They've 
got  the  orders  for  Sandy,"  he  called  back  as  he  disap 
peared,  followed  by  his  orderly. 

"  Then  it's  good-by,  Grace,"  said  Glenham,  slowly, 
as  they  ascended  the  steps.  His  voice  was  harsh  and 
constrained,  stern  and  harsh  it  sounded  to  her,  but  he 
was  struggling  against  his  deep  emotion  now,  and  the 
soldier  in  him  rebelled  at  the  betrayal  of  weakness. 

On  the  porch  he  stopped,  still  not  looking  in  her 
face:  "I  don't  know  when  we'll  meet  again.  I  did 
not  mean  to  risk  and  lose  all  so  soon,  but — but  I  was 
a  fool,  I  suppose.  You  let  Ray  have  that  tassel,  give 
me  this  glove.  It  isn't  much  to  ask  now." 

It  was  Grace's  turn  to  be  wellnigh  weeping.  Despite 
her  efforts  the  great  tears  were  coursing  down  her  cheeks, 
and  she  could  not  trust  her  voice  to  utter  a  word.  The 
sight  of  his  suffering,  the  utter  dejection  of  his  tone 
and  mien,  were  too  much  for  her  nature,  always  sym 
pathetic,  always  gentle. 

"Just  one  word,  Grace,"  he  said,  as  he  suddenly 
turned  and  seized  her  hands.  "  You  say  I  must  not 
hope.  I'm  going  now  without  another  plea.  Tell  me 
the  truth,  is  there  any  man  for  whom  you  do  care?" 


58  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

And  her  eyes,  tear-dimmed,  yet  sweet  and  truthful, 
looked  fearlessly  up  in  his  face.  "  No,  Mr.  Glenham, 
no."  He  bent  low  over  her  hand,  pressed  it  to  his  lips, 
and  turned  suddenly  away.  "  No/7  she  cried,  "  no  one 
whom  I  even  like  as  I  do  you."  He  would  have 
turned  once  again  to  her,  but  the  door  opened  suddenly, 
a  broad  light  streamed  out  upon  the  porch,  and  Graco 
Pel  ham,  her  face  flushed  and  wellnigh  bathed  in  tears, 
confronted  Jack  Truscott. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  59 


CHAPTER    V. 

TWENTY  miles  up  tho  valley  above  Camp  Sandy  lay 
the  agency  of  the  Indian  reservation,  and  for  some 
time  previous  to  the  date  on  which  our  story  opens  a 
young  cavalry  officer  of  large  experience  among  the 
Apaches  had  been  doing  the  double  duty  of  command 
ing  the  Indian  scouts  and  acting  as  agent  for  the  six 
or  seven  thousand  aborigines  then  being  fed  and  clothed 
at  the  expense  of  the  government.  Of  course,  there 
had  been,  previous  to  his  time,  an  actual  (bond  fide  was 
almost  written)  Indian  agent,  one  of  the  factors  of  that 
mysterious  and  complicated  piece  of  cabinet- ware  known 
as  the  Bureau,  but,  though  this  was  before  the  halcyon 
days  of  Schurz,  even  the  Department  of  the  Interior 
could  not  close  its  eyes  to  the  convincing  proofs  of  the 
peculations  which  he  had  been  so  injudicious  as  to  strive 
to  keep  entirely  to  himself,  and  so,  having  proved  a 
doubly  unprofitable  servant,  the  Bureau  was  not  un 
willing  to  cast  him  out,  whereupon  he  showed  signs  of 
insanity,  was  placed  under  medical  care,  and  escorted 
back  to  his  home  in  Massachusetts  under  the  guidance 
and  at  the  expense  of  Uncle  Sam,  the  method  of  his 
madness  subsequently  manifesting  itself  in  the  realiza 
tion  that  had  he  been  discharged  on  the  spot  he  would 
have  been  compelled  to  pay  his  own  way.  Then  there 
was  an  interregnum.  Even  Indian  agents  could  hardly 


(JO  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

afford  the  trip  to  Eastern  Arizona,  the  journey  to  San 
Francisco  and  thence  by  sea  or  desert  to  the  Colorado, 
and  thence  by  "  buckboard"  to  the  mountains,  costing 
more  for  self  and  family  than  one  could  possibly  hope 
to  save  in  a  year  without  getting  found  out.  "  If  it 
were  not  for  those  d — d  army  officers,"  said  one  of 
these  shrewd  financiers,  "  a  man  might  live  like  a  gen 
tleman  even  in  Arizona."  But  the  commanding  gen 
eral  had  for  years  of  his  life  been  dealing  with  In 
dians,  and  his  maxim  was  to  fight  like  blazes  when 
fighting  had  to  be  done,  teach  them  to  dread  the  power 
of  the  Great  Father,  but  to  promise  and  insure  fair 
treatment  when  they  surrendered.  The  general  had 
promised  these  Apaches  fair  treatment,  and  was  bound 
to  see  his  promis'e  carried  into  effect.  This  led  to  his 
keeping  an  eye  on  the  agents,  and  that  led  to  the  agents 
hating  him  worse  than  one  of  their  own  inspectors, 
which,  after  all,  is  a  mild  way  of  putting  it.  Nearly 
all  the  Arizona  agents  about  this  time  were  doctors  of 
something  or  other,  and  bore  the  title  if  for  proficiency 
in  no  other  art,  science,  or  profession  than  that  of 
"  doctoring"  returns,  and  when  this  particular  doctor 
was  taken  crazy  and  home  (where  he  took  to  lecturing 
on  the  wrongs  of  the  red  man,  and  to  himself  the  con 
tributions  of  the  charitable),  the  general  was  empow 
ered  to  name  a  pro  tempore  agent,  and  sent  Lieutenant 
Stryker  of  the  — th.  Stryker  was  well  known  to  all 
the  Apaches  as  a  fearless  young  chief  who  had  thrashed 
them  many  a  time,  and  the  one  thing  an  Indian  re 
spects  is  bravery  when  combined  with  force.  As  a 
consequence  there  was  peace  and  propriety  on  the  res 
ervation.  Stryker  kept  rigid  account  of  the  warrior? 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  (ft 

under  his  control ;  there  was  little  or  no  straying  away 
from  the  limits,  the  few  settlers  began  to  take  courage 
and  let  out  their  stock  to  graze,  new  "  ranches"  began 
to  spring  up  in  the  deep  valleys,  and  all  promised 
well  until  the  arrival  of  another  "  ringster"  from  the 
East  relieved  Stryker  of  his  duties,  and  the  Indians  of 
restraint.  Still  there  had  been  no  outbreak;  the  road 
between  Prescott  and  the  valley  of  the  Sandy,  though 
lying  dangerously  near  the  Apaches,  was  considered  so 
safe  that  the  mail-carrier  rode  to  and  fro  without  es 
cort,  and  small  hunting-parties  scoured  through  the 
mountains  without  meeting  a  "  hostile" ;  "but  for  some 
weeks  past  unpleasant  rumors  had  been  in  circulation, 
and  for  three  or  four  days  the  agent  had  been  sending 
down  to  Sandy  sullen-looking  specimens  of  the  tribe, 
with  the  request  that  they  be  confined  in  the  guard 
house,  among  the  murderers  and  worst  characters  of 
their  brethren  lodged  therein.  The  guard  reported 
that  they  were  holding  frequent  pow-wows  in  the 
prison  room,  and  that  when  out  at  work  under  the  sen 
tinels,  occasional  attempts  had  been  made  by  them  to 
steal  knives,  scrap-iron,  and  any  odds  and  ends  of 
metal  that  could  be  sharpened  and  used.  Stryker  had 
been  sent  to  the  southern  part  of  the  Territory,  and 
none  of  the  officers  at  Sandy  knew  anything  of  the  new 
agent.  The  surgeon  at  the  reservation,  however,  had 
twice  been  down  to  the  post,  and  on  both  occasions  had 
displayed  keen  anxiety  as  to  the  condition  of  affairs. 
He  even  asked  Colonel  Pelham  to  come  up  and  take  a 
look  at  things,  saying  that  at  the  rate  he  was  going  on 
the  agent  would  precipitate  a  mutiny  in  less  than  a 
fortnight, — he  was  arresting  and  ordering  into  confine- 

6 


62  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

raent  some  of  the  best  and  most  influential  Indians  on 
no  pretext  whatever,  and  what  was  worse,  said  the  doc 
tor,  "  he  is  making  them  believe  it  is  by  your  order  or 
that  of  the  general."  Pelhani  had  decided  to  lay  the 
whole  matter  before  the  department  commander  in  a 
written  communication, — but  the  result  was  as  yet  un 
known,  as  the  general  could  not  interfere  with  the  pro 
ceedings  of  an  officer  of  the  Interior  Department,  and 
could  only  "  forward"  the  statement  with  a  strong  in 
dorsement,  in  which  case  it  generally  resulted  in  being 
pigeon-holed  among  the  musty  files  of  the  Bureau,  and 
the  informant  was  the  only  one  who  got  into  trouble. 

And  so  it  happened  that  the  solitary  ride  on  which 
Jack  Truscott  had  set  forth  proved  an  eventful  one. 
Along  towards  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  he  had 
stopped  to  water  his  horse  at  a  little  spring  well  over 
towards  the  valley  of  the  Agua  Fria,  loosening  the 
girths  and  easing  the  saddle  a  while  to  rest  his  pet 
"Apache."  The  horse  was  a  noble  specimen  of  his 
race,  tall,  sinewy,  almost  gaunt  in  build,  but  with  pow 
erful  limbs,  an  eye  full  of  fire  and  intelligence,  and  the 
tapering,  sensitive  ears  of  the  purest  breed.  Truscott 
stood  with  his  left  arm  thrown  negligently  over  the 
withers,  stroking  the  glossy  mane,  and  softly  patting 
the  sturdy  neck  of  his  friend,  all  the  while  talking 
caressingly  to  him,  while  "Apache,"  having  indulged 
in  a  dozen  long-drawn  swallows,  was  now,  with  uplifted 
head  and  dripping  muzzle,  taking  a  leisurely  survey  of 
the  scene  preparatory  to  another  dip.  Satisfied  ap 
parently  with  the  tranquillity  of  his  surroundings,  he 
was  about  to  return  to  the  sparkling  water  at  his  feet, 
when  the  leaves  were  stirred  by  a  faint,  rustling  breeze, 


WINNING  HIS  SPUHS.  (53 

and  suddenly  he  threw  up  his  head  and  with  dilated 
eye  and  nostril  gazed  fixedly  into  the  thicket  near  him. 
'Next  he  gave  a  start,  snorted  as  though  alarmed,  and 
sprang  back  towards  the  road.  Truscott/s  quick  hand 
was  on  the  rein  in  an  instant,  while  with  his  right  he 
as  quickly  unslung  the  Henry  rifle,  that  swung,  Arizona 
fashion,  athwart  the  pommel,  still  speaking  gently, 
soothingly  to  his  horse.  "  Steady,  boy !  steady,  old 
man !  you  don't  scare  as  a  rule ;  what  do  you  see, 
sir?"  and  with  his  rifle  at  ready  the  adjutant  backed 
slowly  from  the  thicket,  stepped  to  the  near  side  of  his 
horse,  and  then  deftly  reset  and  "  cinched"  his  saddle. 
Still  "  Apache"  quivered  with  strong  excitement,  and 
Truscott,  keeping  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  quarter  from 
which  his  alarm  seemed  to  come,  led  back  to  the  road ; 
there  he  stopped  to  consider.  "  Apache"  still  stamped 
and  snorted,  a  thing  he  had  never  been  known  to  do 
under  ordinary  circumstances,  and  his  conduct  was  a 
puzzle.  He  had  seen,  smelled,  and  chased  bears  with 
out  special  emotion  before,  and  no  other  beasts  of  prey 
were  to  be  found  around  Sandy, — rattlesnakes  were 
plenty,  but  not  a  whit  did  "  Apache"  mind  them,  but 
the  one  thing  he  hated  was  an  Indian.  Could  it  be 
that  Indians  were  crouching  in  the  tangled  brushwood 
back  of  the  spring  ? 

Truscott  slung  the  reins  over  a  stumpy  little  cedai, 
cocked  his  rifle,  and,  bending  low,  stepped  over  the 
brook  and,  parting  the  interlacing  branches,  forced  his 
way  through  the  bushes.  Something  wet  and  slimy  on 
his  hand  caused  him  to  raise  it  to  the  light,  and  he  found 
it  stained  with  blood.  Close  examination  showed  fresh 
gouts  of  blood  on  the  leaves  and  twigs  on  either  side. 


64  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

then  came  a  little  patch  of  sunlight,  a  mere  break  in 
the  thick  tangle  of  shrubbery,  and  there,  stripped, 
gashed,  mutilated, — two  arrows  still  sticking  out  from, 
the  brawny  back  showing  the  shots  were  from  the  rear, 
— lay  the  corpse  of  Finnegan,  the  mail-carrier ;  horse 
and  equipments,  arms,  ammunition,  clothing,  and  boots, 
all  but  the  ghastly  life-ridden  frame,  gone.  Further 
search  revealed  the  soldier's  blouse  and  shirt,  so  hacked 
with  knives  and  stained  with  gore  as  to  be  useless  even 
to  an  Indian,  while  among  a  pile  of  rocks  were  scattered 
the  letters  and  papers  of  the  mail  for  Sandy.  Five 
minutes  more  and  Jack  Truscott  was  speeding  down 
into  the  valley  to  the  west,  sparing  neither  spur  nor 
word,  and  "  Apache,"  nerved  to  excitement,  was  making 
the  best  time  known  to  Arizona  records. 

The  winding,  rocky  road  lay  for  a  distance  undei 
hanging  cliffs  and  boulders,  and  Truscott,  bending  low 
over  the  pommel  with  his  Henry  advanced  on  the 
right,  peered  warily  ahead  at  every  turn.  A  few  miles 
farther,  down  in  the  open  valley,  lay  a  ranch  where 
travellers  and  teamsters  were  accustomed  to  rest  and 
refresh  themselves  and  their  cattle.  The  next  turn 
would  bring  him  in  view  of  the  valley  and  the  ranch 
itself,  and  with  keen  anxiety  he  gazed  as  "Apache" 
bounded  over  the  road.  Another  moment  and  the 
bend  was  reached,  the  valley  lay  before  him,  and  plainer 
than  ever  before  there  stood  the  ranch,  a  glare  of  flame, 
while  a  thick  cloud  of  smoke,  black  and  heavy,  floated 
slowly  into  the  air.  Never  drawing  rein  he  darted 
ahead ;  he  knew  that  a  party  of  cavalrymen  from  the 
post  were  out  repairing  on  the  line  of  the  military  tele 
graph,  that  they  were  on  the  western  side  of  the  range 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  65 

and  could  not  fail  to  see  the  conflagration  down  in  the 
valley ;  he  knew  that  a  few  strides  more  would  bring 
him  to  the  point  where  the  road  and  the  telegraph  line 
lay  side  by  side,  for  the  latter  had  been  strung  across 
country  by  the  most  direct  route,  and  between  the  Agua 
Fria  and  the  Sandy  ran  far  south  of  the  winding  high 
way.  The  sergeant  in  charge  of  the  party  was  an 
Irishman  who  bore  an  enviable  name  for  bravery  and 
efficiency  in  Apache  warfare,  and  Truscott  felt  sure  that 
he  and  his  men  would  not  be  far  away  when  there  was 
need  of  his  services.  "  Two  to  one  the  sergeant  has 
seen  that  fire  long  before  this,  and  he  and  his  men  are 
well  on  their  way,"  was  his  reflection  as  he  galloped  on. 
He  was  among  the  foot-hills  of  the  western  slope 
now;  the  road  dipped  and  twisted  among  the  spurs, 
sometimes  in  plain  view  two  miles  ahead,  sometimes 
not  a  dozen  yards.  At  a  sharp  bend  "  Apache"  sud 
denly  swerved  violently  to  the  left,  and  Truscott  reined 
up  alongside  the  smouldering  remains  of  a  wagon,  near 
which,  gashed  and  hacked  with  savage  fury,  lay  the 
body  of  a  Mexican  teamster.  The  cattle  had  disap 
peared,  driven  off  to  the  northward  as  the  trail  indi 
cated,  but  examining  1he  ground,  Truscott  saw  to  his 
joy  the  fresh  imprint  of  a  score  of  horse-shoes,  cross 
ing  the  road  from  the  south,  evidently  in  pursuit.  Once 
more  "  Apache"  felt  the  spur  and  darted  west  along  the 
road, — once  more  his  rider  came  into  view  of  the  ranch, 
and  saw  with  satisfaction  that  while  the  sheds  and  "cor 
ral"  were  a  mass  of  flames,  the  home  of  the  station- 
keeper  was  still  safe.  The  one  thing  now  was  to  find 
the  sergeant  and  his  men  and  hie  to  the  rescue.  Trus 
cott  lost  no  time  by  following  the  trail;  he  knew  well 
e.  G* 


66  THE    COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

that  before  this  the  flames  had  been  seen,  and  the  troop 
ers  were  taking  the  shortest  line  across  country  towards 
the  point  of  danger,  if,  indeed,  they  were  not  already 
there.  Five  minutes  more  and  now  a  gently-sloping 
stretch  of  road,  only  a  mile  or  so,  lay  between  him  and 
the  ranch,  and  then — hurrah  !  off  to  the  right  he  saw  a 
little  squad  of  blue  jackets  bounding  over  the  slopes 
with  carbines  advanced,  and  Jack's  voice  rang  out 
through  the  still  air,  "This  way,  this  way,  sergeant; 
make  for  the  road !"  and  never  drawing  rein,  he  spurred 
ahead.  Now  he  could  hear  the  crackling  of  the  flames, 
and  every  now  and  then  the  report  of  a  rifle.  Another 
moment,  and  scurrying  off  towards  the  reservation  he 
caught  sight  of  a  party  of  some  twenty  Indians,  run 
ning  for  dear  life,  throwing  away  the  plunder  they  had 
picked  up.  clinging  to  the  tails  and  manes  of  the  few 
horses  their  luckier  comrades  had  secured ;  away  they 
were  going,  caught  in  the  very  height  of  their  devil 
ment,  no  time  to  palaver  or  parley,  their  hands  still 
stained  with  rapine  and  murder, — the  cowardly  curs 
had  suddenly  caught  sight  of  the  little  band  of  res 
cuers,  and  their  first  impulse  was  flight.  Truscott 
turned  in  his  saddle,  waving  his  broad-brimmed  hat  to 
the  men  spurring  along  behind  him,  "  Head  'em  off, 
men ;  spread  out  to  the  right !"  and  in  another  instant 
"  Apache's"  hoofs  thundered  through  the  burning  corral, 
past  the  scorching  ranch,  whose  beleaguered  occupants 
found  time  to  cheer  with  delight  as  they  dropped  their 
rifles  to  rush  for  buckets  and  water,  out  through  the 
open  court  beyond,  splash  through  the  rivulet,  scram 
ble  up  the  bank  on  the  other  side,  and  Truscott  was 
in  full  view  of  the  chase.  But  horses  were  wellnigh 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  (J7 

exhausted  now,  and  eager  though  the  riders  might  be, 
it  was  pitiful  to  hear  the  gasp  and  groan  witli  which 
the  steeds  made  answer  to  the  spur.  The  mounted  In 
dians  were  plainly  seen  striking  at  their  comrades,  who, 
clinging  to  their  mounts,  impeded  their  flight,  and  some 
of  the  troopers,  trusting  to  luck,  had  opened  a  long- 
range  fire  at  the  pursued.  But  "  Apache"  kept  on,  fire, 
mettle,  endurance,  and  speed,  all  were  combined  in  his 
glorious  race,  and  almost  before  he  realized  it  Truscott 
found  himself  closing  in  upon  the  stragglers. 

Throwing  away  the  arms  they  dared  not  stop  to  use, 
two  Indians  flung  themselves  flat  upon  their  faces  on 
the  sward  ;  but  another,  wheeling  quickly,  knelt,  aimed. 
Truscott  bent  low  upon  his  horse's  neck,  and  the  harm 
less  flash  of  the  savage's  rifle  was  answered  by  a  surer 
shot  that  sent  a  bullet  crashing  through  the  tawny, 
naked  breast.  Then  there  came  another  report,  sharp 
and  ringing,  close  at  hand,  and  with  it  poor  "  Apache" 
wavered,  staggered,  plunged  headlong  to  his  knees  and 
rolled  in  agony  upon  the  turf.  Truscott  alighted,  cat 
like,  on  his  feet,  but  quickly  knelt  to  avoid  the  hurried 
missiles  sent  back  at  him  by  the  scattering  foe.  He 
ground  his  teeth  in  bitter  rage  as  he  saw  his  favorite 
lying  there  in  his  death-struggle,  and  with  vengeful 
eye  drove  shot  after  shot  at  his  slayers,  and  not  till  the 
sergeant  and  his  men  could  reach  him  did  he  know  or 
realize  that  the  blood  was  streaming  down  his  left  arm, 
and  that  an  arrow  had  torn  a  deep  rent  under  the 
shoulder-strap. 

There  was  no  further  pursuit :  horses  were  exhausted, 
and  few  white  men  afoot  can  catch  an  Apache ;  but 
four  of  the  tribe  had  paid  the  forfeit  of  their  crimes 


#8  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

and  lay  weltering  along  the  trail.  Slowly  the  victors 
returned  to  the  ranch,  where  the  owner,  a  sturdy  Nor 
wegian,  and  his  good  wife,  with  eager  volubility,  poured 
forth  their  thanks  for  the  timely  rescue,  and  brought 
water  and  bandages  for  Truscott's  shoulder.  One  or 
two  bucolical-looking  Swedes  were  still  dashing  water 
against  the  adobe  walls,  as  though  the  now  smouldering 
ruins  of  the  corral-sheds  could  communicate  flame  to 
dried  mud,  while  in  one  of  the  rooms  two  teamsters, 
badly  wounded  but  worse  scared,  were  stretched  upon 
the  floor  groaning  lustily  in  their  distress.  Close  by 
the  corral  lay  two  more  Tonto  "  bucks,"  who  had  pre 
sumed  too  much  upon  the  easy  victory  over  single  and 
unprepared  victims,  and  had  ventured  with  reckless 
confidence  in  their  overwhelming  force  to  attempt  a 
rush  upon  the  stout-hearted  ranchmen.  Olson  hurriedly 
told  the  story  of  the  raid  as  known  to  him  :  how,  long 
before  noon,  a  small  party  had  strolled  in  to  beg  for 
something  to  eat,  and  were  noticed  peering  about  at  the 
interior  of  the  ranch ;  how  his  wife  had  snatched  away 
a  rifle  one  of  them  had  taken  and  was  eagerly  examining; 
how,  later  in  the  day,  a  trapper  rode  by  from  the  east, 
saying  he  had  seen  numbers  of  'Patchie  tracks  among 
the  hills  and  didn't  like  the  looks  of  things ;  and 
finally,  how,  after  two  o'clock,  the  two  teamsters  had 
come  tearing  in  on  one  horse  saying  that  the  Indians 
had  attacked  them  in  the  cafion  among  the  foot-hills, 
and  they  had  to  flee  for  their  lives,  then  came  the 
Indians  themselves.  He  "thought  there  must  have 
been  a  hundred  of  them,"  some  dressed  in  soldier 
clothes,  some  on  horseback,  and  he  and  his  people  had 
run  for  the  house,  which  they  placed  in  a^  defensible  a 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS  (59 

state  as  they  knew  how,  and  fought  them  back  like 
heroes,  according  to  the  good  man's  story,  though,  from 
the  fact  that  few  of  the  Apaches  had  fire-arms,  and  only 
two  of  them  breech-loaders  (which  they  had  secured 
at  the  expense  of  poor  Finnegan  and  the  Mexican  that 
morning)  and  that  the  household  was  still  quivering 
with  excitement,  Truscott  concluded  that  their  relief 
at  his  appearance  was  the  most  genuine  portion  of  the 
entire  exhibit.  The  Apaches  had  not  made  a  very 
determined  assault,  and  the  besieged  would  hardly  have 
held  out  against  one. 

It  was  not  probable  that  another  attack  would  be 
made  that  afternoon.  The  sun  was  well  down  towards 
the  west  by  this  time,  and  Truscott  decided,  as  soon  as 
he  could  rest  his  weary  horses,  to  push  in  to  Prescott 
with  the  news.  A  wagon  was  filled  with  straw,  in 
which  the  wounded  teamsters  were  carefully  laid.  Two 
of  the  cavalry  horses,  refreshed  by  a  two  hours'  halt 
and  a  hearty  feed,  were  harnessed  in,  and,  leaving  the 
sergeant  with  two  men  at  the  ranch  as  guard,  the  adju 
tant  and  a  little  party  of  three  "  effectives"  set  forth  at 
sundown  with  the  wagon-load  of  wounded. 

The  road  was  rough,  the  night,  though  still  and 
starlit,  was  dark  in  the  deep  pine  forests  through  which 
they  rode  after  leaving  the  Agua  Fria.  Off  to  the 
northeast  the  signal-fires  of  the  Indians  told  the  story 
of  the  outbreak,  and  the  highway  was  deserted.  It 
was  near  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  before  Truscott 
reached  the  post,  turned  over  his  wounded  to  the  care 
of  the  hospital  steward,  and  went  to  headquarters  to 
make  his  report.  The  ball  was  still  in  progress,  and 
the  strains  of  gay  music  fell  upon  his  ear  as  he  climbed 


70  THE   COLON EUS  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

the  slope  towards  the  offices.  Lights  were  burning  in 
the  telegraph-room,  however,  and  here  he  found  the 
operator  clicking  away  at  his  instrument.  "  My  God  ! 
lieutenant/7  said  he,  springing  up ;  "  weVe  been  mighty 
anxious  about  you.  The  Apaches  have  raided  the 
valley, — -just  got  the  news  from  Sandy  half  an  hour 
ago,  and  particulars  are  coming  in  every  minute.  Hold 
on  one  second  until  I  tell  Sandy  you  are  here." 

Stiff,  chilled,  and  tired,  smarting  with  pain  from  his 
torn  shoulder,  Truscott  sank  into  a  chair ;  his  thoughts 
drifted  back  over  the  events  of  the  day,  but  lingered 
with  keen,  and  even  bitter  sorrow  on  "  Apache's"  death. 
For  three  long  years  he  had  been  Trtiscott's  one  pet, 
his  pride  and  delight.  He  had  borne  his  rider  gal 
lantly  that  day  over  hill  and  dale,  rock  and  rill,  a  wild 
rush  to  the  rescue;  he  had  distanced  all  competitors; 
was  the  only  horse  "in  at  the  death/7  thought  poor 
Jack,  and  as  he  recalled  that  mute  appeal  in  the 
glazing  eyes  of  his  favorite,  and  recalled  too  that  not 
once  before  death  put  an  end  to  his  misery  had  there 
been  a  chance  for  a  single  caress  or  word,  not  one  sign 
to  his  faithful  charger  of  the  love  in  which  he  held  him, 
Jack's  pale,  set  face  grew  paler,  there  was  an  odd  quiver 
about  the  stern  lines  of  his  mouth,  and  a  gathering  film 
in  the  tired  eyes  he  so  hastily  covered  with  his  hand. 
Quick  steps  came  bounding  up  the  pathway,  across  the 
narrow  piazza,  and  Colonel  Wickham  entered  with  the 
aide-de-camp.  "Well,  what's  the  latest?  Have  they 
heard  from  Truscott?"  was  his  immediate  question. 

The  operator  motioned  towards  the  sitting  figure  with 
one  hand,  w^hile  the  right  kept  busily  clicking  its  mes 
sage,  and  Truscott,  rising,  stood  before  the  questioner, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  71 

who  eagerly  grasped  his  hands.  "  Safe,  Jack,  thank 
God  ! — but  you're  hurt !  Where  did  you  run  across 
them  ?  D — n  it,  what  a  time  to  ask  questions !  We've 
had  an  awful  scare  about  you.  Sit  down  again,  man. 
Here,  Bright,  run  down  to  the  club-room  and  bring 
me  some  whiskey."  The  aide  was  off  without  a  word, 
and  by  the  time  he  returned  with  the  required  stimu 
lant  Wickham,  who  never  used  it  himself,  but  knew 
when  it  was  needed  for  others,  had  told  Truscott  that 
at  midnight  a  despatch  had  come  from  Sandy  saying 
that  raid  ing-par  ties  of  Indians  were  in  the  valley,  and 
that  all  the  settlers  had  taken  refuge  at  the  post.  "  The 
general  said  to  keep  the  thing  quiet  until  we  received 
further  particulars,  and  sent  orders  to  have  the  cavalry 
at  Camp  Sandy  out  at  daybreak  on  the  trail.  From 
midnight  up  to  half-past  two  reports  came  of  the 
Apaches  being  in  force  along  the  valley,  but  not  until 
half  an  hour  before  had  anything  indicated  that  they 
were  west  of  the  range.  Then  a  ranchman  from  the 
Agua  Fria  had  ridden  post-haste  into  the  quarter 
master's  corral  saying  that  Olson's  ranch  had  been 
burned  and  his  family  slaughtered ;  that  lots  of  team 
sters  had  been  killed  ;  and  then  we  thought  of  you.  I 
hurried  off  a  message  to  Canker,  who  replied  that  you 
had  left  the  post  about  ten  o'clock,  and  he  ( feared  you 
had  gone  alone.'  Then  the  general  ordered  '  G'  com 
pany  out  at  once,  and  the  men  are  stirring  up  now. 
All  the  time  though  we  were  trying  to  keep  the  thing 
quiet  so  as  not  to  spoil  the  Pel  hams'  ball,  but  just  five 
minutes  ago  old  Catnip  and  that  lovely  daughter  of  his 
— By  Jove !  Truscott,  there's  a  girl  to  make  your  head 
Bwim — came  at  the  general  with  point-blank  questions 


72  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

about  you,  and  I  don't  see  how  we  could  have  kept  it 
much  longer." 

Then  Truscott  briefly  reported  the  facts  as  known  to 
him.  Bright,  the  aide,  went  off  to  notify  the  general, 
and  came  back  saying  that  the  general  begged  Truscott 
to  come  at  once  to  his  quarters,  and  there  Jack  found 
an  anxious  group,  consisting  of  the  department  com 
mander,  Colonel  Pelham,  and  three  or  four  captains  of 
the  — th,  and  after  warm  greetings  and  congratulations 
the  adjutant  again  recited  tersely  the  story  of  his  ride. 
The  general  listened  intently,  never  interposing  word 
or  query  until  it  was  finished,  then  it  came.  "  How 
did  you  happen  to  have  no  orderly  ?"  and  though  for  a 
brief  instant  Truscott  hesitated  and  looked  embarrassed, 
he  replied  gravely  that  "  an  orderly  had  not  been  con 
sidered  necessary,  everything  had  been  so  quiet  for 
months  past,"  and  his  comrades  at  least  felt  pretty 
certain  that  in  virtually  taking  upon  himself  the  re 
sponsibility  Jack  Truscott  was  shielding  a  man  who 
would  have  lost  no  opportunity  of  hurting  his  defender, 
could  he  have  done  so.  The  general's  orders  were 
prompt.  The  cavalry  officers  from  Sandy  were  directed 
to  make  immediate  preparations  to  return,  escorted 
thither  by  the  troops  then  saddling,  and  with  hurried 
farewells  they  went  off  to  attend  to  the  matter.  At 
the  general's  request  the  colonel  and  Truscott  remained. 
"The  ladies  must  all  wait  here  at  Preseott,"  he  said. 
"Let  Canker  and  'the  boys'  have  this  tussle  to  them 
selves,  Pelham,  they  will  scatter  and  whip  them  back 
in  short  order.  You  and  Truscott  must  wait  here  a 
day  or  two.  Now,  first  thing,  Truscott,  I  want  your 
shoulder  looked  after.  You  are  to  stay  with  us.  The 


WINKING   HIS  SPURS  73 

doctor  will  be  here  in  a  moment,  and  I'll  show  yon  your 
room."  Truscott  begged  to  be  excused  ;  he  knew  that 
the  house  was  full  of  the  fair  sex,  or  would  be  as  soon 
as  they  returned  from  the  ball.  Even  then  their 
silvery  voices  and  laughter  could  be  heard  on  the  walk 
outside,  and  the  adjutant  was  far  from  indifferent  to 
his  personal  appearance.  Just  now,  covered  with  dust 
and  his  uniform  stained  with  blood,  his  face  haggard 
with  pain  and  fatigue,  he  would  have  much  preferred 
going  off  to  his  bachelor  comrades ;  but  even  as  he  was 
attempting  to  enter  his  protest  the  door  opened,  and 
Mesdames  the  General  and  Pel  ham,  escorted  by  Lieu 
tenants  Hunter  and  Ray,  came  sailing  in.  "Pretty 
men  you  are  to  desert  your  wives  in  this  way,"  vocif 
erated  the  portly  partner  of  the  general,  all  in  a  good- 
humored  glow  after  her  pull  up  the  hill.  "  Pretty 

men  to Why,  Jack  Truscott!     When   did  you 

get  here  ?  Why,  you're  so  pale — and  all  blood — are 
you  wounded  ?  What's  happened  ?"  And  so,  hurriedly 
and  disconnectedly,  this  good  lady — "the  warmest- 
hearted  woman  in  the  army,"  the  Arizona  exiles  used 
to  call  her — poured  forth  question,  sympathy,  and  wel 
come  all  at  once  upon  her  prime  favorite,  the  adjutant 
of  the  — th. 

"  Now  don't  bother  Truscott,"  the  general  vainly  in 
terposed.  "The  doctor's  coming, and  I  want  his  shoul 
der  dressed,  or  he'll  be  having  fever  in  it ;"  but  his 
better  half  could  not  be  suppressed,  and  over  again, 
quietly  and  smilingly,  Jack  strove  to  tell  something  of 
the  day's  adventures,  but  failed  signally,  because  by 
this  time  both  dames  were  popping  questions  at  him 
quicker  than  he  could  singly  answer  either.  Ray  and 


74  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Hunter  stopped  only  long  enough  to  grasp  bis  hand, 
and  learn  from  their  colonel  that  their  companies  were 
under  orders,  when  they  hurriedly  left.  The  tramp  of 
hoofs  and  jingle  of  Mexican  spurs  was  heard  in  front, 
staff-officers  came  quickly  and  quietly  in,  received  their 
instructions  as  quietly  from  the  low-voiced  general,  and 
were  off  in  a  moment  about  their  business.  Pelham 
seated  himself  to  write  a  few  words  of  caution  to  Can 
ker,  who  was  a  reckless  and  impetuous  campaigner, 
whatever  might  be  his  disagreeable  qualities,  and  Trus- 
cott,  breaking  away  from  his  female  inquisitors,  had 
just  stepped  to  the  door  to  intrust  this  despatch  to 
Bright,  when  he  came  face  to  face  with  Grace.  It  was 
almost  a  collision.  Truscott  stopped  short,  bowed  low, 
and  with  a  courteous  "  Pardon  me/'  held  the  door  open 
for  her  to  pass.  Grace  bent  her  flushed  and  tearful 
face,  sweeping  one  quick,  furtive  glance  from  under 
the  long  lashes  at  the  tall  soldier,  stepped  into  the  hall, 
and  hearing  many  voices  in  the  parlor,  darted  up  the 
stairs  to  her  room,  there  to  bathe  her  eyes  and  collect 
her  startled  thoughts. 

Finding  Bright  already  gone,  Truscott  carried  the 
despatch  to  headquarters,  gave  it  to  Captain  Turner, 
and  then,  feeling  weak  and  weary,  returned  slowly  to 
the  general's.  The  tear-stamed  face  of  the  graceful 
girl  who  had  swept  past  him  at  the  doorway  had  by  no 
means  escaped  his  attention.  He  knew  well  that  it  was 
Grace  Pelham,  felt  thoroughly  satisfied  that  the  foot 
steps  bounding  away  into  darkness  as  he  came  out 
upon  the  piazza  were  those  of  Glenham,  had  quickly 
decided  that  it  was  more  than  probable  the  latter  would 
not  care  to  see  him  just  then,  and  so  had  not  called 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  75 

after  him,  and  saved  himself  a  fatiguing  trip.  Re 
turning  to  the  parlor,  he  was  seized  by  his  colonel. 
"Now,  Truscott,  I  want  to  introduce  you  to  my  daugh 
ter.  Never  mind  your  dress,  man ;  I  ivant  her  to  see 
what  my  fellows  have  to  go  through.  She'll  like  you 
all  the  better,  or  I'll  disown  her."  And,  pale  and  half 
faint,  Jack  was  led  up  to  the  group  of  ladies,  and  in 
another  moment  was  looking  down  into  the  most  glo 
rious  eyes  he  had  ever  seen,  into  a  fair  frank  face  that 
met  his  gaze  with  an  expression  of  earnest  interest  and 
concern,  while  a  slender  white  hand  cordially  greeted 
his  nervous  palm,  and  a  gentle  voice  exclaimed,  "  It 
doesn't  seem  possible  that  you  and  I  have  never  met 
before,  Mr.  Truscott;  father's  letters  have  made  me 
feel  as  though  I  knew  you."  What  man  would  not 
have  thought  her  welcome  both  gracious  and  graceful  ? 
What  mamma,  with  ambitious  projects  of  her  own, 
would  not  have  shown  alarm  ?  Lady  Pelham  barely 
gave  Jack  time  to  offer  any  response  before  she  burst 
in  with,  "Now,  Grace,  Grace,  Mr.  Truscott  is  utterly 
exhausted ;  too  much  so  to  talk,  and  (with  cheerful 
irrelevance)  I  know  that  your  father  and  he  have  a 
dozen  things  to  attend  to." 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it,"  said  the  colonel.  "  He  shaVt  do 
another  stroke  of  work  to-night.  I  want  him  to  get 
to  bed,  but,  first  of  all,  to  meet  Grace.  Ah,  Truscott, 
she  could  ride  '  Apache,'  I'll  warrant  you." 

Grace,  looking  up  into  the  calm  features  of  her  new 
acquaintance,  marked  a  sudden  change,  a  deeper  pallor, 
a  knitting  of  the  tired  brow,  and  a  nervous  twitching 
at  the  corners  of  the  mouth.  "  Miss  Pelham's  riding 
is  something  the  last  year's  graduates  never  tire  of 


76  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

talking  about/'  he  answered ;  but  she  thought  only  of 
the  pang  that  seemed  to  shoot  across  his  face,  and 
eagerly  spoke, — 

"  You  must  be  suffering  from  your  hurt,  Mr.  Trus- 
cott.  Surely  you  ought  to  see  the  surgeon/'  and  this 
at  once  brought  the  general's  energetic  lady  to  the  res 
cue,  even  Mrs.  Pelham  promptly  joining  in  the  sym 
pathizing  chorus.  Jack  was  remanded  to  his  room, 
whither  the  general  himself  insisted  on  accompanying 
him  ;  the  doctor,  already  summoned,  was  soon  on  hand, 
and  the  ladies  Pelham  were  left  alone.  Without  a 
moment's  hesitation  madame  took  her  daughter's  hands 
in  hers,  looked  searchingly  into  her  face,  and  said, — 

"Grace, you  have  been  in  tears.  Has  Arthur  Glen- 
ham  spoken  to  you  ?" 

"Yes,  mother." 

"  My  darling  child,  I  knew  it !"  And  the  maternal 
arms  were  thrown  about  the  slender  form,  and  an  anx 
ious  kiss  was  pressed  upon  the  pale  forehead.  Then, — 
"  And  you  answered  him  ?" 

Grace  paused  a  moment.  She  well  knew  her  mother's 
ambition,  and  her  love  for  all  the  good  that  money 
can  bring.  She  knew  how  hard  she  had  struggled, 
planned,  pinched,  and  saved  that  she,  her  one  daugh 
ter,  the  very  apple  of  her  eye,  should  never  lack  for 
even  the  luxuries  of  life.  She  loved  her  tenderly,  yet 
those  half-spoken  words  of  Glenham's  had  given  rise 
to  a  painful  suspicion.  She  raised  her  eyes  to  her 
mother's  face,  and  replied, — 

"  I  do  not  love  him.  I  could  not  accept  him,  mother. 
I  have  tried  not  to  encourage  this  avowal.  Have  you 
ever  spoken  with  him  ?  You  surely  have  not  let  him 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  77 

keep  up  this  delusion.  I  told  you  at  West  Point  it 
was  useless." 

"  Grace,  my  daughter,  think  a  moment  what  you 
are  doing.  He  is  a  gentleman.  He  loves  you  devotedly. 
He  can  place  you  above  any  possibility  of  want  or  care 
in  this  world.  You  may  never  have  such  another 
opportunity.  Why,  my  child,  were  your  father  to  die 
to-morrow  you  would  be  penniless.  Your  brothers 
could  do  nothing  for  you.  Is  it  possible  you  can  be 
blind  to  our  position  ?" 

Slowly  Grace  Pelham  drew  herself  from  her  mother's 
arms  and  stood  thoughtfully  before  her.  "Do  you 
expect  me  to  marry  a  man  whom  I  merely  like?"  she 
asked. 

u  But  why  can't  you  love  him  ?"  broke  in  her  lady 
ship,  impatiently.  "  It  will  come  soon  enough,  Grace  ; 
you  are  too  sensible  for  mere  romance.  Why,  to-night, 
when  I  saw  you  enter  in  tears,  my  heart  was  thankful. 
I  thought  of  course  they  were  due  to  anxiety  and  dis 
tress  at  his  sudden  summons  to  join  his  company.  WJiy 
were  you  crying,  I  should  like  to  know?" 

"At  his  emotion.  He  seemed  so — so Mother ! 

answer  me :  had  you  given  him  cause  to  hope  that  I 
loved  him  ?" 

Mrs.  Pelham  hesitated.  She  knew  her  daughter's 
spirit,  her  keen  sense  of  honor;  she  strove  to  find  an 
answer  that  might  evade  the  issue,  yet  satisfy  the  scru 
ples  of  her  child,  but  Grace's  clear  eyes  were  fixed  upon 
her  face.  She  reddened,  then  almost  pettishly  broke 
forth,— 

u  Of  course  I  did  not  absolutely  encourage  him,  but 
I  did  say  you  were  too  young  to  know  your  own  mind, 

7* 


78  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

and  I'm  sure  I  hoped  you  would  come  to  your  senses 
by  this  time.  Grace,  it  is  undutiftil  in  you  to  question 
me  like  this.  I'm  sure  I  acted  for  the  best,  and  he  de 
serves  better  treatment  at  your  hands." 

Grace  Pelham  pressed  her  hands  upon  her  temples. 
Less  than  a  year  ago,  and  again,  less  than  six  months, 
when  their  coming  to  Arizona  was  first  discussed,  her 
mother  had  told  her  that  she  had  never  spoken  of  the 
matter  to  Mr.  Glenham ;  and  now — for  one  moment 
she  looked  wonderingly,  wistfully,  into  the  flushed  and 
angry  face  of  the  elder  lady,  then,  with  one  half-stifled 
cry,  "  Oh,  mother !"  she  fled  to  her  own  room. 

Half  an  hour  afterwards — a  half-hour  spent  in  bitter 
tears — she  heard  her  father  enter  the  adjoining  room, 
and  address  his  better  half  in  his  usual  cheery  tone : 
"  It  wasn't  the  wound  that  made  Jack  Truscott  so  mis 
erable.  His  pet  horse  was  killed  under  him  in  the 
fight,  and  he  never  said  a  word  about  it.  Why,  Dolly, 
you  look  used  up.  What's  the  matter  ?" 

And  Dolly  replied  in  melodramatic  grandeur, 
"Hush!" 

Fatigue,  excitement,  distress,  all  had  spent  their  force 
on  Grace  Pelham.  Gentle  sleep  soon  came  to  soothe 
her  troubled  spirit,  but,  mingling  with  her  last  thoughts 
those  words  floated  through  her  drowsy  brain,  "His 
pet  horse  was  killed  under  him,  and  he  never  said  a 
word  about  it." 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  79 


CHAPTEE   VI. 

MEANTIME  there  had  been  the  mischief  to  pay  at 
Sandy.  Captain  Canker,  as  we  have  seen,  was  irate  at 
the  defeat  of  his  little  scheme  for  the  "  discipline"  of 
his  subordinates.  It  was  some  consolation  to  discover 
that  Glenham  had  escaped  the  toils  only  at  the  expense 
of  Truscott,  who,  thought  Canker,  would  be  far  more 
missed  at  the  ball  than  the  officer  whose  going  he  had 
originally  interdicted.  Then  when  the  telegraphic  sum 
mons  reached  him  which  virtually  made  it  his  duty  to 
send  Truscott  up  to  Fort  Whipple,  he  was  chagrined 
and  disgusted  beyond  expression.  There  was  an  im 
plied  censure  in  the  words  "  unless  services  are  urgently 
needed"  which  indicated  to  him  that  the  general  thought 
his  detention  of  either  Glenham  or  Truscott  a  piece  of 
arbitrariness  ("  not  so  much  that  as  contrariness,"  ex 
plained  Colonel  Pelham  afterwards)  and  unwarranted 
by  the  circumstances  as  known  to  him  the  night  before 
the  start.  But  Canker,  like  many  a  better  man,  was 
judged  subsequently  by  the  light  of  events  that  he 
could  not  then  have  known,  and,  unlike  many  a  better 
man,  received  support  and  sympathy  in  place  of  cen 
sure.  Now  that  two  of  the  colonel's  favorites  had 
escaped  him,  Canker  bethought  him  of  a  third  victim, 
the  regimental  quartermaster.  This  officer,  a  gentle 
man  who  had  grown  old  in  service,  was  already  gray 


80  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

and  rheumatic,  who  habitually  walked  with  a  cane  when 
he  walked  at  all,  had  originally  been  appointed  to  his 
staff  position  because,  said  the  then  commanding  officer, 
"  He  isn't  good  for  anything  else."  He  had,  neverthe 
less,  proved  a  very  efficient  and  valuable  quartermaster, 
and  had  for  some  years  performed  the  varied  and  intri 
cate  functions  of  that  office  without  having  added  much 
to  his  own  comfort,  but  a  great  deal  towards  the  com 
fort  of  others.  There  is  never  a  time  on  the  frontier 
when  the  dames  of  the  garrison,  from  the  lady  of  the 
commanding  officer  down  to  the  widow  of  the  late  Pri 
vate  Moriarty  (who  still  hangs  on  to  her  husband's  old 
company  for  sustenance),  are  not  besieging  the  post 
quartermaster  with  some  plea  or  other, — a  partition  to 
be  put  up  here,  a  chimney  repaired,  glass  put  in,  a  new 
coat  of  paint  in  the  parlor,  a  storm-door  like  the 
colonel's,  a  new  stove  like  the  one  you  gave  Mrs. 
Major,  or  a  wash-biler  an'  findher  like  Mrs.  Mulligan's. 
They  are  always  pestering  him  for  something.  The 
great  depot  of  Jeifersonville  does  not  contain  the  vol 
ume  of  stores  that  could  be  asked  for  by  the  women  of 
a  four-company  post  in  one  winter ;  there  is  never  enough 
of  any  one  item  to  go  round,  and  always  more  appli 
cants  than  there  are  coal-scuttles ;  somebody  has  to  be 
refused,  and  frequently  fifteen  or  twenty  somebodies, 
and  then  nothing  under  heaven  can  save  that  quarter 
master's  reputation.  The  patience  of  Job  (without  his 
boils),  the  meekness  of  Moses,  and  the  resources  of 
Rothschild  might  help  that  functionary  in  his  desper 
ately  hopeless  task  of  satisfying  a  whole  garrison,  but 
they  couldn't  do  it  long.  The  more  you  give  some 
women  the  more  they  demand,  and  the  annual  appro- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  #1 

priation  for  the  purchase  of  army  stores  and  supplies 
could  readily  be  distributed  among  the  laundresses  of 
any  one  regiment  (in  the  days  when  we  had  those  bless 
ings)  without  satisfying  their  cravings  for  more.  It 
isn't  always  that  they  really  need  the  article  demanded, 
they  simply  want  something  that  some  other  woman 
hasn't,  so  that  she  may  want  and  cannot  get  it,  and  the 
rule  is  general,  being  by  no  means  confined  to  the  sturdy 
wives  of  the  rank  and  file,  but  applicable  to  the  ladies 
whose  garments  they  weekly  washed  and  mutilated  at 
New  York  prices.  God  help  the  nervous,  sensitive,  or 
irritable  man  who  has  to  take  these  duties  on  his 
shoulders;  not  one  in  a  hundred  could  long  maintain 
a  mental  balance,  let  alone  the  financial  ditto. 

But  Bucketts  was  no  such  martyr.  He  had  been  a 
colonel  of  volunteers,  was  shot  through  the  leg  in  the 
Wilderness,  and  hobbled  into  the  veteran  reserves,  thence 
into  the  infantry  of  the  line  as  a  second  lieutenant,  and 
had  succeeded  only  in  getting  a  modest  bar  on  his  shoul 
ders  when  the  consolidation  of  '71  took  place  and  well- 
nigh  stranded  him.  Thrown  upon  the  unassigned  list, 
he  would  have  had  small  chance  of  retention  but  for 
the  fact  that  the  "  Benzine  Board"  speedily  made  more 
vacancies  in  the  cavalry  than  in  the  rest  of  the  arms  of 
service  combined,  and  very  properly,  said  the  slow 
going  infantry  and  artillerymen,  we  should  profit  by 
the  fastness  of  you  horsemen  which  has  rendered  pro 
motion  a  possibility.  And  so  several  score  of  semi- 
invalided  and  semi-mustered-out  footmen,  dozens  of 
whom  had  never  straddled  a  horse  in  their  lives  (and 
to  this  day  are  objects  of  wonderment  to  their  men  when 
they  "get  into  saddle"),  became  full-fledged  cavalry 
f 


82  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

officers.  Bucketts  accepted  the  situation  like  a  man, 
came  out  and  joined  the  — th  in  Nebraska  when  the 
Union  Pacific  was  being  built,  his  baggage  consisting  of 
one  trunk  and  three  baskets  of  champagne.  "  Gentle 
men,"  said  he,  "  I  understand  that  a  cavalry  officer  who 
is  thrown  has  to  set  up  the  wine  for  the  crowd.  Thp 
law  of  the  land  has  made  me  a  cavalryman,  but  all  tho 
Congressmen  from  the  Capitol  to  John  Chamberlin's 
couldn't  make  me  a  horseman.  There's  my  credentials: 
pitch  in,  and  let  up  on  me  hereafter  I"  Bucketts  was  a 
popular  man  from  that  day.  Whereas  Canker,  who 
entered  the  — th  at  the  same  time  and  under  precisely 
similar  circumstances,  barring  the  wound,  seemed  to 
imagine  that  his  new  commission  as  captain  of  cavalry 
carried  with  it  all  that  the  name  implied,  and  that  he 
became  an  authority  on  horses  and  horsemanship  with 
out  further  qualification.  Profound  discretion  in  the 
selection  of  his  "  mounts"  had  enabled  him  thus  far  to 
escape  the  ignominy  of  a  "  throw,"  but  he  never  rode 
or  could  ride  a  horse  twenty-five  miles  without  laying 
that  horse  up  chafed  and  sore  for  days  afterward,  yet 
he  was  incessantly  punishing  his  men  for  faulty  horse 
manship. 

Bucketts  had  not  done  a  particle  of  guard  duty  for 
three  or  four  years.  His  office  duties  were  constant, 
and  when  not  at  his  desk  he  would  bestride  a  fat,  easy 
going  little  saddle-mule  and  amble  about  the  post  with 
a  green-lined  sun-umbrella  hoisted  over  his  head  and 
blue-glass  shades  for  his  eyes,  and  thus  keep  track  of 
the  improvements  and  the  working-parties;  he  gave 
his  whole  attention  to  his  legitimate  work,  and  was 
rarely  called  upon  for  any  other ;  but  this  time  Canker 


WINNING   HIS  SPUES.  33 

concluded,  in  his  own  language,  to  "  give  Bucketts  a 
whirl." 

"  My  compliments  to  the  quartermaster,"  said  he  to 
the  orderly  some  hours  after  Truscott  left  the  post, 
"and  say  I  want  to  see  him." 

There  had  been  a  time  when  Bucketts  and  he  were 
on  intimate  terms,  had  wellnigh  concluded  an  alliance 
defensive  and  offensive  on  their  entrance  into  the  — th, 
because  they  thought  that  their  new  comrades  would 
be  apt  to  slight  or  snub  them  in  some  way ;  but  Bucketts 
had  speedily  won  his  way  into  the  affections  and  respect 
of  the  officers  of  the  regiment,  a  thing  which  Canker 
never  succeeded  in  doing,  and  he  hated  Bucketts  and 
called  him  a  "  bootlick"  behind  his  back  because  of  his 
better  fortune.  They  had  drifted  apart,  and  were  only 
on  terms  of  ordinary  garrison  courtesy,  but  Canker 
never  lost  an  opportunity  of  endeavoring  to  worry 
Bucketts  in  some  way,  and  generally  got  the  worst  of 
it,  since  Bucketts,  without  trying  at  all,  could  stir  up  a 
company  commander  a  dozen  times  a  day.  However, 
Canker  had  the  whip-hand  now  and  meant  to  use  it. 
It  was  just  the  time  of  day  when  the  quartermaster, 
having  completed  the  rounds  of  the  post,  was  wont  to 
send  his  mule  to  the  corral,  get  out  of  his  collar  and 
cuffs  into  an  easy  old  alpaca  duster,  and  with  a  palm- 
leaf  fan  in  one  hand,  and,  not  unfrequently,  a  comfort 
ing  beverage  of  his  own  composition  in  the  other,  to 
spread  himself  upon  a  wicker  settee  in  the  cool  retreat 
of  his  own  parlor  and  doze  away  an  hour  in  a  noonday 
siesta.  "  I'll  spoil  his  nap  anyhow,  d — n  him  !"  gritted 
Canker  between  his  teeth,  "  and  I'll  partly  pay  off  old 
Catnip  into  the  bargain." 


84  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Poor  old  Bucketts  rose  with  a  sigh  as  the  orderly  de 
livered  his  message,  and  having  arrayed  himself  in  his 
cool  white  blouse,  he  took  his  cane  and  umbrella  and 
stumped  slowly  and  painfully  along  officers'  row  in  the 
blazing  heat  until  he  came  to  Canker's  quarters,  knocked 
and  entered.  "  Mr.  Bucketts,"  said  the  temporary  com 
mander  (Bucketts  was  a  brevet  major,  and  generally  so 
addressed ;  but  Canker  had  not  a  brevet,  even  in  the 
volunteer  service,  and  ignored  everybody  else's  when 
he  could),  "  you  will  have  to  do  officer-of-the-day  duty. 
The  colonel  has  seen  fit  to  deprive  me  of  the  services 
of  the  adjutant  this  morning,  and  now  I  have  nobody. 
You  will  have  to  act  as  adjutant,  therefore,  attend  sta 
bles  with  Company  A,  run  your  own  work,  and  go  on 
as  officer  of  the  day." 

Bucketts  merely  bowed  acquiescence,  and  looked  se 
renely  undisturbed.  Knowing  his  man,  the  commu 
nication  was  by  no  means  unexpected.  Indeed,  before 
leaving,  Truscott  had  asked  him  to  attend  to  these  very 
matters,  and  had  sent  a  note  to  Canker  informing  him 
that  the  quartermaster  would  do  so.  Canker  had  an 
undoubted  right  to  send  for  the  latter  and  satisfy  him 
self  of  the  understanding,  but  if  it  had  put  the  staff- 
officer  to  no  inconvenience  there  would  have  been  no 
solace  to  his  wounded  self-importance.  Bucketts'  un 
ruffled  urbanity  only  served  to  irritate  him  the  more. 
"  Anything  further,  sir  ?"  asked  the  quartermaster  after 
a  pause,  in  which  Canker  had  been  pettishly  tossing 
about  some  papers  on  his  desk.  "  Yes,  sir.  Mr. 
Bucketts,  when  you  come  into  the  presence  of  your 
commanding  officer  you  should  wear  your  uniform  :  \\ 
is  not  respectful  to  appear  as  you  are  dressed." 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  §5 

"  This  is  exactly  what  I  wear  every  day  in  Colonel 
Pelham's  presence,  captain ;  he  knows  that  I  have  to 
be  out  much  of  the  day  in  the  hot  sun,  and  it  has 
grown  to  be  a  custom  here,"  replied  Bucketts,  coloring 
slightly,  but  speaking  calmly  notwithstanding  his  sense 
of  annoyance. 

"That  don't  excuse  it,  sir,"  said  Canker;  "Colonel 
Pel  ham  has  ideas  of  discipline  which  differ  materially 
from  mine.  When  I  am  in  command  it  will  not  be 
permitted.  That  will  do,  sir."  And  Bucketts,  mad 
enough  to  hammer  his  superior's  features  into  pulp, 
which  he  could  readily  enough  have  done,  stumped 
sadly  off  to  his  lonely  quarters.  So  kindly  and  cour 
teous  himself,  so  ready  to  oblige,  so  considerate  in  all 
his  relations  with  others,  he  nevertheless  was  keenly 
alive  to  any  slight  or  injustice ;  and  that  a  man  who 
was  in  every  way  his  mental  inferior  should  take  this 
method  of  despitefully  entreating  him  was  a  hard  thing 
to  bear.  But  then  that  is  one  of  the  blissful  features 
of  army  life. 

Bucketts'  misery  was  not  one  to  lack  for  company. 
Too  indignant  to  seek  consolation  in  his  customary  nap, 
he  was  about  to  return  to  his  office,  when  the  doorway 
was  darkened  by  the  entrance  of  the  officer  of  the  day, 
one  of  the  subalterns  who  had  not  been  included  in  th« 
Prescott  party.  He  looked  hot  and  ill  tempered. 

"  Bucketts,  lend  me  your  mule ;  my  horse  is  out  at 
herd  with  the  rest  of  them,  and  that  d — d  man,  Can 
ker,  has  sent  me  orders  to  go  out  at  once  and  visit  the 
herd  guard.  What's  got  into  him,  anyhow?" 

"  Take  the  mule  if  you  like,  but  don't  ask  conun 
drums.  He  sent  for  me  just  now  and  rode  over  me 

8 


86  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

rough-shod  for  not  being  in  uniform.  I'm  mad  enough 
to  take  a  drink.  Have  one  ?" 

The  junior  assented,  and,  pending  the  arrival  of  the 
quartermaster's  mule,  the  two  officers  discussed  their 
toddy  and  the  vagaries  of  their  temporary  post  com 
mander.  Ten  minutes  spent  in  this  occupation  had 
partially  blunted  the  edges  of  their  grievances,  and  they 
were  prepared  to  look  with  more  equanimity  upon 
matters  in  general,  when  the  orderly  trumpeter  sud 
denly  darted  into  the  room. 

"Commanding  officer's  compliments,  sirs.  Wants 
to  see  you  both,"  and  was  off  like  a  shot. 

"Now  what  new  devilment  is  he  devising?"  said 
Bucketts,  ruefully,  pulling  off  his  "  working-dress" 
and  preparing  to  get  into  the  hot  uniform  he  had  to 
wear.  Before  he  could  complete  the  change,  however, 
there  was  a  quick,  sharp  step  along  the  piazza,  and 
Canker  himself  appeared. 

"  Never  mind  your  blouse  now,  Bucketts ;  it's  busi 
ness  this  time.  Here,  Mr.  Carroll,  get  your  herds  in 
quick  as  a  flash ;  take  a  dozen  men  with  you,  armed ; 
I'll  look  out  for  your  guard  and  prisoners ;  the  Tontos 
have  jumped  the  reservation  !" 

What  change  in  tone  and  manner !  Ten  minutes 
ago,  peevish,  querulous,  almost  complaining,  and  en 
tirely  unjust,  Captain  Canker  had  disgusted  his  subor 
dinates.  Now,  quick,  animated,  a  soldierly  ring  in 
every  word,  his  whole  bearing  commanded  their  re 
spect.  Many  a  time  before  had  his  comrades  noted  this 
odd  trait  in  his  character.  The  presence  of  danger,  the 
chance  of  a  fight,  the  excitement  of  active  service 
wrought  an  instant  change  in  the  very  nature  of  the 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  87 

man — and  in  the  thoughts  of  his  officers.  A  moment 
before  they  were  ready  to  hammer  him,  now  eager  to 
support  and  obey. 

Carroll  picked  up  his  sabre,  and  started  across  the 
parade  on  the  run.  Canker  and  Bucketts  followed  as 
rapidly  as  the  latter  could  stump  his  way  while  listen 
ing  to  his  senior's  recital  of  the  news.  Two  ranchmen 
living  up  the  valley  had  just  come  in  to  say  that  the 
Indians  had  swooped  down  and  driven  off  their  horses 
and  cattle  soon  after  noon.  Then,  before  they  had 
half  told  their  story,  a  teamster  came  tearing  in  to  the 
post  from  the  Prescott  road,  his  horse  wounded,  saying 
that  the  foot-hills  were  swarming  with  Apaches,  and 
begging  for  ammunition.  At  the  guard-house  Canker 
ordered  the  sergeant  to  call  in  at  once  all  the  working- 
parties  of  the  Indian  prisoners,  and  himself  inspected 
the  locks  and  fastenings  of  the  room  in  which  some 
particularly  hard  cases  were  confined.  Meantime,  Car 
roll,  with  a  dozen  or  more  of  the  men,  had  hastened 
off  to  the  westward,  among  the  hills  and  ravines,  to 
search  for  and  bring  in  the  herds,  while  throughout 
the  barracks  the  men  were  quickly  and  without  confu 
sion  buckling  oii  their  "  thimble-belts"  and  revolvers, 
and  gathering,  carbine  in  hand,  along  the  company 
parades.  The  civilians  who  had  come  in  with  the 
news  were  surrounded  by  an  eager  group,  and  were 
enlarging  upon  their  experiences  of  the  morning,  when 
suddenly  a  shot  was  heard  down  under  the  bluff  towards 
the  post  garden,  where  many  of  the  Indian  prisoners 
were  kept  at  work  during  the  day.  It  was  quickly 
followed  by  another,  then  half  a  dozen  sputtering  shots, 
and  some  men  over  by  the  hospital,  which  commanded 


88  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

a  view  of  the  low  ground,  were  seen  excitedly  running 
towards  the  quarters,  and  could  be  heard  shouting  that 
the  prisoners  were  breaking  away.  Canker  seized  a 
carbine.  "Take  command  of 'A'  company,  Bucketts, 
and  stay  here.  Come  on,  you  other  men  ;"  and  away 
he  went  at  a  rush,  with  half  the  command  at  his  heels. 
Sure  enough,  the  prisoners  were  loose.  Running  like 
deer,  half  a  dozen  of  the  lithe,  swarthy  fellows  could 
be  seen  a  thousand  yards  away,  "  streaking  it"  over  the 
sandy  bottom  towards  the  foot-hills,  others  dashing 
towards  the  river,  while  here  and  there  through  the 
sage-brush  and  cactus,  puffs  of  blue  smoke  shot  out 
from  carbine-muzzles  indicated  the  slower  pursuit  of 
the.  astonished  guard.  Canker  swore  with  rage.  There 
would  have  been  no  earthly  chance  of  recovering  his 
charges,  when  suddenly,  in  a  great  cloud  of  dust  and 
with  the  thunder  of  half  a  thousand  hoofs,  the  herds 
of  two  "of  the  companies  came  sweeping  at  full  speed 
around  a  low  hill  towards  the  west,  and,  skilfully 
guided  by  the  troopers  in  charge,  bore  down  direct 
upon  the  corrals.  "  Mount !  quick  as  you  can,  all  of 
you  I"  he  shouted,  and  signalling  to  the  corporal  in  the 
lead  of  the  herds,  he  threw  himself  upon  his  horse, 
quick  as  the  other  could  vacate  the  saddle  in  his  favor, 
and,  carbine  in  hand,  and  calling  again  to  his  men  to 
follow,  he  tore  off  towards  the  chase. 

Bold  horsemen  there  were  in  the  old  days  at  Sandy. 
There  were  men  that  day  who  threw  themselves  with 
out  either  saddle  or  bridle  upon  their  horses'  backs,  and 
trusted  to  voice,  leg,  and  instinct  to  guide  them.  Others, 
less  confident,  bridled  their  chargers,  but  none  stopped 
to  saddle.  In  five  minutes  a  hundred  horsemen  were 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  39 

scattered  over  the  valley  in  pursuit  of  the  escaping 
Indians.  Man  after  man  they  were  run  down,  seized, 
and  dragged  back,  most  of  them  taking  it  as  good- 
naturedly  as  though  the  escapade  had  been  a  mere 
school-boy  lark  devised  for  the  entertainment  of  the 
garrison.  Three  or  four  were  savage  and  sullen ;  only 
two  made  any  resistance.  Poor  devils !  they  had  nothing 
to  fight  with,  and  only  one  had  been  shot  by  the  guard. 
Canker  at  first  had  furiously  ordered  his  men  to  fire 
everywhere,  but  Mr.  Carroll  and  some  of  the  sergeants 
had  quietly  cautioned  those  nearest  them  to  hold  their 
shots  or  aim  high.  It  was  an  easy  matter  to  overhaul 
and  recapture  so  helpless  a  foe,  and  shooting  them  down 
in  cold  blood  was  something  the  — th  did  not  believe 
in.  Canker  himself  thought  better  of  his  order  as  soon 
as  he  saw  that  his  men  were  masters  of  the  situation, 
and  revoked  it,  so  that  the  firing  ceased  entirely.  In  an 
hour  all  but  five  men  were  returned  to  the  charge  of 
the  guard  now  strongly  reinforced,  and  sending  his 
prisoners  back  to  the  garrison,  the  commanding  officer 
resumed  the  search  for  those  still  missing. 

Up  the  stream-bed,  through  the  willows,  east,  west, 
and  north  over  the  arid  valley,  the  troopers  scoured  in 
knots  of  two  or  three,  Canker  riding  to  and  fro,  en 
couraging  or  swearing  as  occurred  to  him  most  expe 
dient;  and  so  another  hour  passed  away.  The  men 
were  widely  scattered  by  this  time,  and  it  must  have 
been  towards  five  in  the  evening  when  there  came  from 
a  gorge  in  the  foot-hills,  fully  eight  miles  above  the 
post,  a  sudden  rattle  of  fire-arms.  Instead  of  slacken 
ing  after  the  first  few  seconds  it  increased,  and  Canker, 
pausing  but  an  instant  to  listen,  turned  an  attentive 


90  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

ear  to  the  veteran  first  sergeant,  who  rode  on  his  left  at 
the  moment. 

"  That's  no  overhauling  prisoners,  captain ;  that's  a 
fight,"  said  he. 

"Come  on,  then!"  shouted  Canker,  and  putting 
spurs  to  their  horses,  and  signalling  to  all  the  men  in 
sight,  they  dashed  off  in  the  direction  of  the  firing. 

It  was  a  fight,  sure  enough.  Far  over  among  the 
foothills  to  the  west,  Lieutenant  Carroll,  with  three  or 
four  men,  had  found  traces  of  some  of  the  fugitives. 
Following  slowly  as  they  could  find  further  signs,  they 
had  at  last  come  in  sight  of  the  chase,  and  way  in  a 
winding  gorge  or  cafion  had  pushed  in  pursuit,  when, 
without  the  faintest  warning,  a  volley  of  rifles  and 
arrows  brought  them  to  a  sudden  halt,  and  one  of  the 
men  dropped  from  his  saddle.  To  rein  about  and 
shout  to  his  men  to  dismount  and  get  under  cover 
among  the  rocks  was  the  work  of  an  instant,  and  turn 
ing  loose  their  horses,  which  would  only  have  hampered 
them  there,  they  scrambled  half-way  up  the  hill-side 
among  a  lot  of  loose  boulders,  and  rapidly  opened  fire 
on  the  ambuscading  Apaches.  In  three  minutes  they 
were  joined  by  others  of  the  command,  and  in  five, 
Carroll  felt  justified  in  ordering  an  immediate  rush 
upon  the  position  of  the  enemy,  some  of  the  mounted 
troopers  endeavoring  to  get  around  on  their  flank  and 
rear.  No  especial  order  was  observed.  Every  man 
took  a  hitch  in  his  belt  and  a  firmer  grip  on  his  car 
bine,  and  somebody  said,  "JSTow  then,  fellers!"  the 
generic  title  by  which  the  regular  cavalryman  invariably 
addresses  or  speaks  of  his  comrades,  and  with  that  the 
fifteen  or  twenty  blue-jackets  had  "  bulged  ahead,"  as 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  91 

Carroll  reported,  and  Canker,  galloping  in  on  his 
staggering  charger  found  his  command  skipping  up  the 
rocks  like  young  rams,  and  the  Apaches  rapidly  disap 
pearing  among  the  thickets  of  pine,  scrub-oak,  and 
juniper  with  which  the  mountain-side  was  covered. 
Horses  were  there  of  no  avail,  and  the  agility  of  the 
ginewy  Indians  far  more  of  a  power  than  our  men  could 
contend  with.  Pursuit  was  useless,  and  before  dusk 
Canker  had  his  mounted  men  hunting  for  the  loose 
horses,  while  his  courier  galloped  in  to  the  post  to 
summon  the  surgeon  and  the  ambulance.  Four  of  our 
men  were  struck  and  two  seriously  wounded,  and,  to 
his  rage  and  mortification,  Canker  could  not  show  a 
dead  warrior  to  offset  his  losses. 

It  was  in  a  very  unpleasant  frame  of  mind  that  he 
rode  back  to  the  garrison  that  evening.  Fivet>f  his 
prisoners  had  escaped,  four  of  his  men  were  crippled, 
several  horses  gone.  A  general  outbreak  of  the  Apaches 
had  evidently  taken  place.  He  had  practically  been 
confronted  by  them  most  of  the  afternoon.  Their 
movements  and  the  attempted  escapade  of  the  prisoners 
were  doubtless  concerted.  So  far  they  had  very  much 
the  best  of  it,  and  what  could  he  report  to  department 
headquarters  ? 

At  the  north  gate  the  quartermaster,  with  a  grave 
and  anxious  face,  was  waiting  for  him. 

"  Captain  Canker,  Truscott  has  not  reached  Prescott, 
and  Finnegan  isn't  in." 

Canker  turned  white  as  a  sheet,  and  with  a  stifled 
groan  covered  his  face  with  his  hand.  "  Come  to  the 
telegraph-office,"  was  all  lie  said,  but  that  was  an 
anxious  night  at  Sandy. 


92  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR 


CHAPTER  VII. 

WHEN  Lady  Pelham  descended  upon  the  household 
the  day  after  the  ball,  the  sight  which  met  her  eyes  in 
the  general's  parlor  was  not  one  to  add  either  to  her 
placidity  or  her  ordinarily  reliable  appetite.  Mr.  Trus- 
cott,  with  his  uniform  blouse  thrown  loosely  over  the 
injured  shoulder,  was  ensconced  in  an  easy-chair  near 
the  west  window,  and  at  the  instant  of  her  ladyship's 
entrance  was  looking  earnestly  up  into  the  fair  face  of 
her  daughter,  who,  for  her  part,  was  looking  as  earn 
estly  down  into  the  bronzed  features  of  the  adjutant, 
while  her  slender  white  hand  was  clasped  about  a  goodly- 
sized  envelope  and  letter.  Considering  the  fact  that  the 
pair  had  been  acquainted  less  than  twelve  hours,  it  must 
be  conceded  that  her  ladyship  had  cause  to  look  sur 
prised.  Not  another  person  was  in  the  room  when  she 
opened  the  door  and  entered,  breaking  in  upon  this 
interesting  t£te-&-t£te. 

She  paused  abruptly  upon  the  threshold,  and  for  an 
instant  simply  stared  at  them.  Truscott  courteously 
rose,  though  with  evident  effort,  and  bade  her  a  calm 
good-afternoon.  Grace  turning  and  seeing  the  expres 
sion  on  her  mother's  face  flushed  crimson,  and  yet 
moved  quickly  to  her,  and  dutifully  raised  her  lips  to 
the  maternal  cheek  with  a  gentle,  "  I  hope  you  rested 
well,  mother." 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  93 

"  Very  well,  thanks,"  was  madame's  stately  reply. 
"You  have  all  had  lunch,  I  presume.  Is  nobody  at 
home,  pray?" 

She  was  still  smarting  under  the  sting  of  last  night's 
interview.  She  had  been  detected,  she  felt  sure,  in  a 
piece  of  out  and  out  equivocation,  to  call  it  by  its  most 
innocuous  title,  and  detected  by  her  only  daughter. 
True  to  human  nature,  she  was  incensed  at  her  daughter 
for  having  discovered  her  falsehood,  and  longed  for  a 
pretext  to  excuse  or  warrant  an  exhibition  of  parental 
displeasure,  and  here  it  was.  Unwelcome  as  the  sight 
would  have  been  at  any  other  time,  there  was  something 
absolutely  greedy  in  her  reception  of  the  circumstance 
now.  Her  daughter's  kiss  was  unreturned,  a  frigid 
and  unbending  acceptance  was  all  she  vouchsafed  her. 
Civility  demanded  that  she  should  inquire  as  to  the 
state  of  Mr.  Truscott's  wound,  but  her  ladyship  was 
not  disposed  to  be  civil,  and  in  her  wrath  at  what  she 
chose  to  consider  her  daughter's  undutiful  conduct  she 
decided  to  include  under  the  ban  of  her  censure  the 
adjutant  himself,  who  was  in  no  way  responsible.  A 
very  distant  salutation,  therefore,  was  her  response  to 
his  courteous  greeting.  Seeing  which,  he  as  calmly 
resumed  his  seat,  and  became  absorbed  in  the  contem 
plation  of  some  objects  on  the  road  in  the  valley 
below. 

As  for  Grace,  who  never  in  her  life  had  concealed  a 
thought  or  had  a  secret  from  her  mother,  this  assump 
tion  of  displeasure  on  her  ladyship's  part  startled  at 
first,  then  wounded  her  with  its  utter  injustice.  Ten 
words  would  have  explained  the  situation,  but  now  she 
felt  that  anything  like  explanation  was  a  self-humilia- 


94  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

tion  totally  uncalled  for;  besides,  there  was  really 
nothing  in  the  situation  that  demanded  anything  of 
the  kind.  That  is  to  say,  not  to  the  portly  and  peevish 
matron,  who,  without  further  word  to  either,  swept 
through  the  parlor  into  the  adjoining  dining-room, 
whence  her  voice  was  presently  heard  requesting  that 
solace  to  femininity — a  cup  of  tea. 

But  the  reader  will  want  an  explanation  beyond 
doubt,  and  very  humbly  at  your  feet  is  it  laid. 

Truscott  had  slept  but  little.  The  excitement  of 
the  previous  day,  the  irritation  of  his  wound,  poor 
"Apache's"  death,  and  his  anxiety  about  the  next 
move  of  his  comrades,  all  tended  to  restlessness.  At 
nine  in  the  morning  the  surgeon  had  come  in  and 
dressed  his  shoulder,  finding  Jack  out  of  bed  and 
already  half  attired.  After  a  few  questions  he  spoke 
gravely  and  decidedly. 

"  I'm  not  going  to  condemn  you  to  staying  in  bed 
all  day,  Truscott,  you  will  be  better  sitting  in  the 
parlor ;  but,  no  matter  what  turns  up,  you  are  not  to 
quit  this  house;  you  are  on  sick  report  and  under 
my  charge.  Of  course  I  know  you  are  fidgeting  to 
get  down  to  Sandy  after  the  command,  but  Colonel 
Pelham  is  not  going,  and  you  shall  not  go."  Truscott 
frowned  but  made  nc  reply.  The  doctor  went  on  with 
his  sponging  and  his  calm  talk  :  "  I  saw  the  general  fif 
teen  minutes  ago ;  he  is  waiting  for  news  from  Sandy 
and  asked  after  you.  Canker  and  his  people  started 
up  the  valley  at  daybreak,  and  the  cavalry  from  Mc 
Dowell  and  here  are  to  work  right  over  to  the  Mogollon 
range.  The  chief  says  that  in  four  days  most  of  the 
renegades  will  have  slipped  back  to  the  reservation, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  95 

and  only  a  few  scattered  bands  will  be  out ;  but,  by 
Jove !  it  was  a  miracle  that  you  got  through." 

Then  the  doctor  and  Truscott  had  breakfasted  to 
gether.  The  general  and  Colonel  Pelham  had  dropped 
in  to  see  him  and  charged  him  to  keep  quiet,  and  then 
gone  over  to  headquarters.  No  one  else  appeared ;  the 
ladies  were  all  asleep  aloft.  Some  of  the  Sandy  party 
had  called  at  the  door  eager,  probably,  to  hear  any  news 
the  ladies  of  the  general's  household  might  have,  or  to 
retail  that  which  they  had  heard,  but,  informed  by  the 
servant  that  no  one  was  down,  had  reluctantly  retraced 
their  steps.  All  headquarters  and  Fort  Whipple  seemed 
to  be  sleeping  off  the  effects  of  an  all-night  dance  and 
jollification  so  far  as  Truscott  could  judge,  but  he  could 
not  see  the  busy  life  over  at  the  offices  and  in  the 
corrals,  and  so  moped  and  read  and  fidgeted  about  the 
parlor  until  noon,  without  a  soul  to  speak  to  and  re 
lieve  his  anxiety.  As  a  consequence  he  fretted  infi 
nitely  more  and  had  less  actual  repose  than  if  he  had 
been  in  the  saddle  and  on  his  way  back  to  join  his 
comrades  on  the  war-path  ;  but  that  is  always  the  way. 
A  man  may  be  worrying  his  heart  out  with  eagerness 
and  anxiety  to  be  in  his  proper  place  among  his 
troopers,  and  some  old  woman  of  a  doctor  says,  "  Now 
stay  in-doors  and  keep  perfectly  quiet  if  you  want  to 
pull  out  of  this."  How  in  the  mischief,  thought  Jack, 
can  a  fellow  be  expected  to  keep  perfectly  quiet,  or 
approximately  quiet,  at  such  a  time?  And  then  he 
almost  swore  to  think  that  since  nine  not  a  man  at  the 
office  had  thought  enough  of  him  to  send  him  word  of 
the  latest  news  from  Sandy.  There  was  not  an  orderly 
or  a  male  servant  about  the  premises,  and  Jack,  pacing 


96  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

feverishly  up  and  down  the  floor,  was  just  determining 
on  mutiny  and  a  sortie  when  the  rustle  of  dainty  skirts 
was  heard  upon  the  stairs :  light  footsteps  came  dancing 
down.  Jack  stopped  short,  and  the  door  opened.  For 
the  second  time  Grace  Pelham  confronted  Mr.  Truscott. 

"  Which  is  it,  good-morning  or  good-afternoon  ?"  she 
blithely  inquired,  coming  forward  with  frankly  extended 
hand.  "  How  is  your  shoulder?  tell  me  that  first,"  she 
hastily  added,  looking  up  into  his  face ;  for  the  hand 
which  had  taken  hers  for  one  brief  second  was  hot  and 
dry,  and  the  bronzed  face  was  flushed. 

"Afternoon,  I  should  say,  if  not  evening  or  day 
after  to-morrow.  The  morning  has  seemed  intermin 
able,"  he  answered. 

"  Yes ;  and  you  have  been  growing  feverish  with 
every  minute,  I  fear.  Has  the  doctor  been  here  ?" 

"  He  has ;  but  the  doctor  I  most  need  is  your  respected 
father,  my  colonel.  In  fact,  Miss  Pelham,  for  the  first 
time  in  my  acquaintance  with  that  officer  I  have  been 
tempted  to  upbraid  him  savagely.  He  promised  to 
send  me  news  from  Sandy  three  hours  ago,  and  here 
it  is  after  one  o'clock  and  not  a  word." 

"  Then  there  is  no  news,"  replied  Grace,  very  calmly 
and  with  a  half  superior  smile. 

"  I  accept  the  implied  rebuke  in  all  humility,"  said 
Truscott,  smiling,  despite  his  worries,  at  the  queenly 
decision  of  her  words.  "  I  am  unworthy  to  hold  my 
position  another  day,  and  shall  resign  the  adjutancy  in 
your  favor." 

"  All  the  same  you  are  anxious  for  news,  and  so  am 
I.  Possibly  there  is  a  way  of  relieving  us  both.  Will 
you  promise  to  sit  down  in  that  big  chair  and  look  at 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  97 

pictures  or  read  the  papers  for  fifteen  minutes?  Will 
you  promise  ?"  she  repeated. 

"Solemnly,"  said  Jack,  and  subsided  into  the  seat 
nearest  the  window.  The  next  instant  he  bent  eagerly 
forward  and  half  rose.  "  Confound  it,  she's  going  her 
self!"  For,  throwing  a  light  circular  over  her  shoul 
ders,  the  girl  had  quickly  left  the  house,  and  was  even 
now  briskly  stepping  down  the  broad  walk  towards 
headquarters.  Truscott  watched  the  graceful,  slender 
form  until  it  disappeared  from  sight,  and  then  watched 
the  spot  where  it  disappeared  for  full  five  minutes. 
He  was  not  given  to  soliloquy.  I  never  knew  a  man 
that  was, — novels  by  the  thousand  to  the  contrary  not 
withstanding, — but  what  he  would  have  said,  had  he 
said  anything,  was,  "  Glenham,  you  are  a  lucky  man." 

Near  headquarters  Grace  encountered  two  or  three 
officers  of  infantry,  one  of  whom  eagerly  went  in  search 
of  Colonel  Pelbam,  who  promptly  appeared  and  led 
his  daughter  into  the  general's  office.  "  She  says  Trus 
cott  is  fretting  himself  into  a  high  fever,"  he  explained 
to  the  chief,  who  had  risen  to  greet  her  cordially,  "and 
that  she,  too,  wants  to  know  how  matters  are  going 
down  at  Sandy." 

"  You  can  tell  him  that  he  must  have  scared  the  tribe 
out  of  their  wits  in  yesterday's  fight,"  said  the  general. 
"  They  seern  to  be  scattering  in  every  direction." 

"Give  him  this,  daughter,"  said  the  colonel.  "A 
courier  just  brought  it  half  an  hour  ago.  It  is  Can 
ker's  letter  to  me  with  full  particulars,  and  tell  him  he 
is  to  keep  quiet  or  I'll  put  a  sentinel  over  him.  You 
go  and  be  the  sentinel,"  he  added  fondly,  and  with  her 
infantry  friends  as  escorts  Grace  returned  to  the  house. 


98  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR 

Truscott,  watching  at  the  window,  saw  the  quartette  as 
they  hove  in  sight,  and  instinctively  pushed  back  his 
chair.  "  Confound  those  fellows !"  he  thought.  "  Of 
course  she  will  ask  them  in,  and  I'm  in  no  mood  for 
talk  with  any  of  them."  With  that  he  slipped  off  to 
his  own  room.  Two  minutes  after  he  heard  voices  on 
the  piazza,  the  hall-door  opened,  and  Grace  Pelham's 
breezy  tones  fell  upon  his  ear.  "  I  know  I  ought  to 
ask  you  in,  but  I  won't.  Mr.  Truscott  will  defy  the 
doctors  and  insist  on  having  a  talk  with  you  all,  whereas 
he  is  ordered  to  be  perfectly  quiet.  Forgive  me,  won't 
you?"  Then  pleasant  good-afternoons,  a  swish  of 
skirts  and  pit-pat  of  feet  along  the  hall,  the  noise  of 
opening  the  parlor-door.  Then  a  "  Why !" — then 
silence. 

For  the  first  time  that  day  Truscott's  step  was 
springy  as  he  hastened  back  to  the  parlor.  "  Bless  her 
heart,"  he  thought,  "she  is  as  wise  as  she  is  pretty. 
Glenham,  you  are  a  mighty  lucky  man."  And  some 
how  his  step  faltered  and  his  face  clouded  a  trifle  as  he 
reappeared  before  her. 

"  Mr.  Truscott,  you  have  broken  your  arrest." 

"  I  confess  it,"  he  said.  "  The  sight  of  your  escort 
was  too  appalling.  Forgive  me  for  ever  having  doubted 
your  tact,  but  I'll  never  do  it  again.  I  did  not  see  how 
you  could  discharge  them  at  the  door." 

"  Utterly  specious  and  unsatisfactory.  Go  back  at 
once  to  your  limits."  Jack  returned  to  the  chair. 
"  Sit  down."  Jack  obeyed.  "  Now  listen  to  your  in 
structions."  And  with  that  she  stood  threateningly 
over  him,  and  with  mock  gravity  delivered  the  general's 
message.  Then  that  of  the  colonel  with  reference  to 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  99 

the  sentinel  being  posted  over  him,  until  she  came  to 
recollect  the  injunction,  a  You  go  and  be  the  sentinel/' 
whereat  the  conclusion  of  her  message  lost  suddenly  its 
truculent  character  and  she  faltered.  Was  it  a  blush 
that  suddenly  mounted  to  her  temples  ?  Watching  her 
intently  he  was  sure  he  saw  it,  but  she  recovered  her 
self-poise  instantly.  "And  now,  sir,  here  are  de 
spatches  from  the  commanding  officer  at  Camp  Sandy 
which  you  are  to  read,  mark,  and  pigeon-hole,  I  sup 
pose."  And  still  holding  them  in  her  right  hand,  she 
approached  the  arm  of  his  chair  with  impressively  up 
lifted  finger.  "  But  now  that  I  am  going  to  leave  you 
in  peace,  remember  that  you  are  a  prisoner.  If  you 

want  anything "     And  here  her  ladyship  entered. 

Jack  had  received  his  admonition  with  becoming 
gravity,  as  indeed  it  had  been  delivered.  Very  becom 
ing  he  thought  as,  after  the  brief  scene  with  madame, 
Grace  hesitated  for  an  instant  at  the  parlor-door.  She 
had  announced  her  intention  of  leaving  him  alone, — 
she  did  mean  to  go.  She  had  not  been  in  the  room 
with  him  more  than  sixty  seconds  when  her  ladyship 
appeared  and  saw  fit  to  assume  an  air  of  tragic  dis 
pleasure  at  so  finding  her.  Now,  knowing  that  she 
had  been  misjudged,  the  spirit  of  the  woman  was 
aroused.  Truscott  sat  there  with  the  despatch  folded 
in  his  listless  hand,  looking  not  at  it,  but  at  her.  Five 
minutes  before  this  he  was  all  impatience  to  get  the 
particulars  of  the  fight  near  Sandy.  Here  was  the 
letter,  and  he  did  not  open  it;  his  eyes  and  his  thoughts 
followed  orace,  who  had  paused  and  was  steadfastly 
gazing  after  her  mother  into  the  dining-room.  Her 
hands  were  clasped  before  her,  the  fingers  tightly  inter- 


100  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

lacing,  and  her  bosom  rose  and  fell  rapidly  once  ol 
twice.  Something  hot  and  dry  seemed  to  catch  in  her 
throat.  She  turned  abruptly  towards  him  once  more 
and  met  his  earnest  gaze,  then  without  another  word 
quickly  withdrew  her  eyes,  the  long  lashes  sweeping 
down  over  her  cheeks,  bent  her  head,  and  hurried 
from  the  room.  Truscott  heard  her  ascending  the 
stairs ;  he  listened  to  her  light  footfall  overhead,  heard 
her  close  the  door  of  her  room,  and  all  was  still  except 
madame's  clinking  knife  and  fork  in  the  adjoining 
room.  The  letter  still  lay  in  his  hand,  but  he  did  not 
open  it.  Once  more  he  turned  his  eyes  to  the  window 
and  gazed  thoughtfully  out  over  the  shallow  valley 
towards  the  pine-crested  heights  on  the  western  side ; 
full  five  minutes  he  sat  thus,  then  madame's  chair  made 
a  discordant  noise  upon  the  floor,  her  voluminous  skirt? 
rustled  in  premonition  of  her  coming;  he  started, 
opened  Canker's  letter,  shook  himself  into  attention, 
and  began  to  read  in  earnest  as  she  re-entered  the 
room. 

Even  that  potent  mollifier,  tea,  seemed  to  have  failed 
in  its  office  on  this  occasion.  What  woman  is  so  hard 
to  placate  as  she  who  knows  herself  to  be  in  the  wrong '! 
Mrs.  Pelham  was  in  a  most  unenviable  mood  as  she 
returned  to  the  parlor.  Her  sleep  had  been  uurefresh- 
ing,  her  morning  toilet  unaided  by  Grace's  deft  fingers. 
She  had  repelled  her  daughter's  affectionate  advances 
on  her  first  appearance,  and  been  discourteous,  if 
not  downright  rude,  to  Mr.  Truscott.  Now  she  chose 
to  consider  herself  aggrieved  because  her  hostess,  the 
general's  wife,  was  still  sleeping  the  sleep  of  the  just 
and  the  clear  of  conscience  in  her  own  room,  while  she, 


WINNING  HIS 

Lady  Pelham,  was  left  without  a  soul  with  whom  to 
sympathize  or  squabble.  It  would  have  been  balm  to 
her  troubled  spirit  just  now  to  have  had  one  or  two  of 
her  cronies  at  hand,  and  with  them  to  have  dissected 
the  toilets  and  characters  of  the  ladies  attending  the 
ball.  Even  comparative  strangers  would  not  have 
been  unwelcome,  for  that  feminine  freemasonry  which 
puts  most  of  the  sex  on  terms  of  interesting  ease  with 
one  another  when  discussing  the  absent  would  soon 
have  created  a  distraction  for  her  gloomy  reflections. 
But  she  was  practically  alone.  Truscott  merely  looked 
up  and  bowed  gravely,  then  returned  to  his  reading. 
She  did  not  fancy  going  up-stairs  and  possibly  meeting 
Grace.  She  did  not  care  to  disturb  her  hostess.  She 
had  nothing  to  occupy  her  in  the  parlor.  She  would 
have  been  glad  to  talk  with  Truscott  and  satisfy  her 
self  as  to  this  reputed  intractable;  her  curiosity  was 
piqued  by  all  she  had  heard  of  him ;  but  it  was  evident 
that  he  had  noted  her  discourteous  greeting,  and  that 
now  any  advances  towards  conversation  must  come 
from  her :  he  was  not  the  man  to  be  cajoled  one  min 
ute  and  dropped  the  next ;  but  she  was  still  too  ran 
corous  to  stoop  to  conciliation,  so  she  stood  a  moment 
tossing  the  cards  and  notes  on  the  centre-table,  and 
carelessly  examining  the  inscriptions  thereon,  then  she 
marched  out  on  the  piazza  and  majestically  paced  up 
and  down,  sniffing  the  bracing  air  and  keeping  keen 
watch  for  any  ladies  who  might  appear  along  "  Head 
quarters  Row."  Late  as  many,  if  not  most  of  them, 
had  slept,  she  knew  full  well  that  the  interest  and  ex 
citement  attendant  upon  the  sudden  departure  of  the 
cavalry  officers  for  the  field  would  soon  bring  them  to- 

9* 


THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

getlier  to  discuss  the  probabilities,  and  presently  there 
appeared,  leading  her  little  daughter  by  the  hand,  poor 
Mrs.  Tanner,  "  like  Niobe,  all  tears." 

Among  some  of  her  companions  this  gentle  lady  was 
held  pretty  much  as  Mrs.  Major  O'Dowd,  of  blessed 
memory,  regarded  that  poor,  weak-spurted  Amelia,  and 
like  Amelia  there  wasn't  a  man  in  the  — th  who  would 
not  have  leaped  to  her  defence.  She  had  married  early, 
had  lost  the  darling  of  her  heart — a  winning  blue-eyed 
baby  girl — in  the  stirring  days  when  the  regiment  was 
clearing  the  way  for  the  transcontinental  railways,  and 
her  dearly-loved  husband  was  constantly  with  his  troop 
scouting  over  the  prairies,  while  she,  lonely  and  heart 
sick,  watched  over  the  cradle  of  their  little  one  in  the 
humble  log  hut  which  had  been  assigned  them  as  quar 
ters.  Her  agony  when  that  baby  was  taken  from  her, 
her  dumb,  patient  suffering  when  the  regiment  was 
ordered  to  Arizona  and  she  had  to  bid  farewell  to  the 
little  grave  under  the  cottonwoods  (poor  Tanner  had 
lifted  her  in  his  arms,  finding  her  white  hands  firmly 
clutching  the  bunch-grass  on  the  tiny  mound),  the  wist 
ful,  far-away  gaze  in  her  soft  eyes  all  through  that  tedi 
ous  and  dreary  journey,  none  of  the  officers  had  ever 
forgotten ;  nor  had  they  forgotten  her  constant  efforts 
to  appear  bright  and  cheerful,  especially  to  her  hus 
band,  whose  heart  was  sorely  wrung  with  their  loss, 
yet,  stubborn  and  manlike,  strove  to  hide  its  wound 
under  the  guise  of  unwonted  brusqueness  of  manner, 
sometimes  even  to  her. 

And  then  the  night  of  that  dreadful  storm  on  the 
Pacific,  when  they  were  off  the  coast  of  Lower  Cali 
fornia,  and  not  a  soul  on  board  the  laboring  steamer 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  1Q3 

believed  that  day  would  ever  dawn  upon  them,  how 
calm  and  brave  and  serene  she  was  !  while,  if  regimental 
traditions  were  reliable,  Mesdames  Turner  and  others 
whom  we  won't  mention  had  behaved  like  lunatics, 
and  made  consummate  nuisances  of  themselves.  Some 
how  that  storm-night  on  the  old  "  Montana"  was  never 
a  popular  reminiscence  with  the  ladies  of  the  — th.  It 
could  not  be,  since  no  man  of  their  acquaintance  could 
ever  be  induced  to  omit  some  such  remark  as,  "By 
Jove,  what  a  little  heroine  Mrs.  Tanner  was !"  when 
alluding  to  it.  They  had  always  spoken  of  her  rather 
pityingly  up  to  that  time.  "  So  daft  about  her  husband 
and  that  baby,  you  know ;  she  can't  think  of  anything 
else."  But  that  night  she  had  serenely  taken  care  of 
other  women's  olive  branches  while  their  husbands  were 
on  deck  helping  the  ship's  officers,  and  they  themselves 
were  indulging  in  hysterics  or  lamentations.  Not  all, 
be  it  understood.  There  were  three  brave  women  there 
that  night,  but  two  of  them  are  so  fortunate  as  to  have 
no  place  in  our  story,  and  to  have  had  the  good  luck 
not  to  be  stationed  with  regimental  headquarters  at 
Sandy  when  all  those  most  unpleasant  episodes — 
but  this  is  anticipating.  The  ladies  of  the  — th  re 
spected  Mrs.  Tanner, — they  could  not  help  respecting 
her, — but  all  the  same  they  levelled  their  little  slings  of 
malice  and  all  uncharitableness  whenever  they  were  in 
conclave  among  themselves,  and  whenever  they  dared 
at  other  times,  for  they  could  not  forgive  it  in  her  that 
the  officers  to  a  man  should  refer  to  her  as  the  bravest 
and  pluckiest  and  sweetest-natured  little  woman  in  the 
regiment.  They  could  not  be  expected  to  forgive  it  in 
her  that  she  absolutely  held  herself  aloof  from  all  gar- 


104  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

rison  gossip  or  small  talk,  that  she  was  always  courteous 
and  kindly,  always  bright  and  cordial  to  those  who 
sought  her  society  ;  but  she  had  no  intimates,  as  women 
define  them,  except  her  husband,  and  feminine  confi 
dences  were  with  her  unknown.  A  devoted  wife,  a 
rapturously  loving  mother  to  the  little  ones  who  had 
come  to  partially  replace  the  idolized  first-born,  she  madf 
her  home  her  sanctuary,  and  his,  and  there  peace  and 
happiness,  if  ever  they  are  permitted  to  abide  with  us, 
reigned  perennially. 

Mrs.  Tanner  was  not  the  utterly  weak-spirited  woman 
her  sisters  would  have  made  her  out  to  be.  Though 
she  preferred  to  shine  in  the  pure  light  of  her  own  fire 
side  rather  than  in  the  glare  of  garrison  society,  and  in 
her  retiring  way  was  far  more  apt  to  hide  her  light 
under  a  bushel  than  to  permit  its  radiance  to  be  seen 
abroad,  those  who  knew  her  well  soon  discovered  that 
she  was  far  better  informed,  far  deeper  than  the  average 
army  woman,  that  she  had  cultivated  and  refined  tastes, 
that  she  was  not  plain  by  any  means,  for,  when  inter 
ested,  her  face  would  light  up  vividly,  and  her  eyes 
were  lovely  whether  in  animation  or  repose.  Her 
features,  despite  their  habitual  pallor,  were  delicate  and 
regular,  her  hair  soft  and  brown  and  wavy,  and  her 
voice — ever  that  matchless  gift  in  the  woman  who  wins 
and  would  hold  the  queendom  of  her  home — low  and 
sweet.  The  ladies  of  the  — th  had  long  since  abandoned 
their  sly  allusions  at  her  expense  when  speaking  to  their 
husbands  or  the  men  who  knew  her.  Green  subalterns, 
just  joining,  were  disposed  at  first  to  keep  at  a  distance 
from  her,  and  were  wont  to  dance  attendance  for  their 
vear  of  "  plebe-hood"  at  the  skirts  of  other  ladies  her 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  105 

seniors  in  years  but  juniors  in  manners.  She  never 
sought  to  attract  anybody. 

Now,  one  would  suppose  that  such  a  woman  was 
above  suspicion,  and  that  so  pure,  so  chaste,  so  retiring 
in  thought  and  act,  she  at  least  would  escape  calumny. 
But  once,  just  once,  a  strange  thing  had  happened,  and 
over  and  over  again  had  the  ladies  of  the  — th  rolled 
it  with  their  tongues,  pulled  it  out  of  shape,  twisted 
and  tortured  and,  some  of  them,  swearing  that  they  did 
not  believe,  believing  had  gone  so  far  as  to  transplant 
the  story  to  alien  soil  and  let  it  grow  like  a  weed  in  the 
luxuriant  gardens  of  other  regiments.  During  the  first 
year  after  they  came  into  Arizona  the  heroine  of  the 
u  Montana"  had  noted  an  odd,  half-hesitating  manner 
on  the  part  of  the  ladies  of  the  infantry  and  the  staff 
on  receiving  her;  some  had  failed  to  call.  Finally 
Tanner  had  noticed  it,  and  not  until  he  questioned  her 
did  she  admit  that  she  was  struck  by  the  circumstance. 
Tanner  tried  to  fathom  it,  but  found  that  his  brother 
officers  fought  shy  of  the  question.  Truscott  Was  his 
stand-by  ordinarily,  but  Truscott  and  he  were  not  at 
the  same  post  for  some  time  after  entering  the  Terri 
tory  ;  indeed,  the  entire  regiment  was  in  the  field  scout 
ing  and  fighting  through  the  Apache-infested  mountains, 
and  in  all  the  anxiety  and  distress  experienced  by  the 
ladies  in  garrison  while  the  regiment  was  in  daily  con 
flict  with  the  savages,  and  in  the  excitement  and  inci 
dents  of  the  campaign,  the  affair  faded  from  the  mind 
of  the  people  generally,  and  nothing  more  was  said  or 
done  on  the  subject  for  quite  a  little  while. 

But  the  story  was  a  serious  one,  and  in  a  very  few  min 
utes  Mrs.  Pelham  was  to  be  made  acquainted  with  it  in 


106  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

all  its  details.  How  much  better,  therefore,  not  to  tell 
it  here,  but  to  wait  and  let  those  innate  romancers,  the 
ladies  of  her  coterie,  tell  it  themselves !  As  yet  there 
was  but  slight  acquaintance  between  Mrs.  Pelham  and 
Mrs.  Tanner,  the  former,  however,  had  been  greatly 
impressed,  shrewd  society  woman  that  she  was,  by  the 
perfect  manners  and  gentle  ways  of  the  little  lady ;  had 
admired  her  at  the  ball  the  night  before,  and  was  dis 
posed  to  "  cultivate"  her,  as  the  expression  goes.  A  t 
this  moment,  however,  Mrs.  Tanner  would  have  been 
glad  to  avoid  an  interview.  The  captain  had  left  her  at 
sunrise  hurrying  back  with  his  comrades  to  join  their 
commands  at  Sandy,  and  she,  late  in  the  day,  had 
started  out  to  give  her  little  girl  a  needed  airing  when 
she  met  a  soldier  of  her  husband's  troop,  who  had 
come  back  with  despatches  and  brought  her  a  few  pen 
cilled  lines  from  him.  Their  loving  tenderness  and  the 
allusion  he  made  to  a  little  locket  which  he  always 
carried  in  his  breast, — a  locket  containing  a  golden  curl 
from  the  bright  head  sleeping  under  the  sod  in  far 
away  Kansas, — these  combined  had  overcome  her  self- 
control,  and  as  she  retraced  her  steps  and  strove  to 
reply  to  the  light-hearted  prattle  of  her  little  one,  the 
tears  were  streaming  from  her  eyes,  and  it  was  thus  she 
encountered  the  glances  of  the  colonel's  wife. 

"  What  is  it,  Mrs.  Tanner  ?"  said  that  lady,  by  no 
means  unsympathetically,  as  she  hastened  down  the 
steps  to  greet  her.  "  No  ill  tidings,  I  hope ;  you  look 
so  distressed.  Do  come  with  me  and  rest  awhile  ;  there 
is  no  one  here."  And,  taking  her  hand,  she  led  the 
young  mother  to  the  piazza. 

Hurriedly  thanking  her  and  striving  hard  to  control 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  1Q7 

her  emotion,  Mrs.  Tanner  assured  Lady  Pelhara  that 
there  was  no  real  cause  for  her  apparent  distress, 
apologized  in  fact  for  her  weakness,  and  presently 
succeeded  in  leading  the  conversation  to  the  ball  of 
the  night  before  and  to  Grace  herself.  On  these  topics 
the  ladies  were  getting  along  admirably  when  little 
Rosalie,  playing  about  the  balcony,  suddenly  exclaimed, 
"  Oh,  mamma,  mamma,  here's  Uncle  Jack  !"  and  turn 
ing,  Mrs.  Tanner  caught  sight  of  Mr.  Truscott  seated 
close  to  the  parlor- window  and  smiling  greeting  to  the 
child.  She  rose  instantly,  walked  to  the  window,  and 
finding  it  impossible  to  hear  his  reply  to  her  inquiries, 
and  in  response  to  his  beckoned  "  Come  in !"  she  re 
turned  to  Mrs.  Pelham,  saying,  "  I  had  not  hoped  to 
find  Mr.  Truscott  able  to  sit  up ;  may  I  go  in  and  see 
him  ?" 

"  Why — certainly — I  suppose  so,"  replied  madame, 
not  very  cordially,  however,  for  she  did  not  relish  the 
evident  pleasure  with  which  the  younger  lady  accepted 
the  prospect  of  quitting  her  society  for  his ;  but  Mrs. 
Tanner  never  noticed  the  change  in  tone,  and,  taking 
Rosalie  with  her,  entered  the  house.  She  had  hardly 
closed  the  hall-door  when  three  ladies  appeared,  issuing 
from  the  adjoining  quarters  of  the  adjutant-general,  and 
came  briskly  down  the  path,  all  smiles  and  salutations, 
to  greet  her  ladyship.  In  another  minute  Mrs.  Ray 
mond,  Mrs.  Turner,  and  the  wife  of  one  of  the  staff- 
officers  were  seated  in  cosey  conversation  with  Mrs. 
Pelham,  chatting  as  gleefully  as  though  separation  from 
their  lords  were  an  every-day  affair,  and  not  at  all  to 
be  deplored  beyond  the  conventional,  "  So  horrid,  you 
know;  and  now  I  suppose  the  infantry  ball  will  be 


J08  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER,    OR 

abandoned  entirely."  Then  came  inquiries  for  Grace, 
and  lavish  praises  of  Grace's  beauty  and  bearing.  Both 
ladies  of  the  — th  were  evidently  bent  on  making  as 
favorable  an  impression  as  possible  on  the  colonel's 
wife,  and  their  Fort  Whipple  friend  as  a  consequence 
was  allowed  small  share  in  the  chatter.  In  the  midst 
of  the  talk  the  hall-door  opened,  and  as  they  rose  ex 
pectant  of  receiving  Miss  Pelham  there  reappeared 
Mrs.  Tanner  and  Rosalie. 

"  Why,  good-afternoon,  Mrs.  Tanner ;  I'd  no  idea 
you  were  here,"  was  the  greeting  of  the  three.  Mrs. 
Tanner  pleasantly  responded  to  their  salutations,  in 
quired  if  they  had  heard  any  news  from  the  detachment, 
briefly  told  them  of  the  note  she  had  received  from  her 
husband,  and  then  turning  to  Mrs.  Pelham  bade  her 
good-morning,  left  some  message  for  Grace,  and  ex 
cusing  herself  to  all  for  hurrying  home  she  and  Rosalie 
went  smilingly  away. 

"  What  a  charming  little  woman !"  said  her  ladyship 
after  a  pause,  during  which  all  four  pairs  of  eyes  had 
followed  the  two  out  of  earshot. 

"  Sweet,"  said  Mrs.  Turner,  reflectively. 

"  So  gentle  and  ladylike,"  said  Mrs.  Raymond. 

"  I've  always  admired  her  so  much,"  said  their  com 
panion.  Then  came  a  pause. 

"  It  is  a  perfect  mystery  to  me  how  any  one  can  help 
liking  her,"  said  Mrs.  Raymond,  softly  and  slowly. 
Another  pause. 

"  Well,  I  always  did,"  said  Mrs.  Turner,  dreamily 
gazing  across  the  valley. 

"And  I  supposed  everybody  did,"  said  Mrs.  Pel- 
ham,  looking  very  intently  at  her  two  "subordinates/' 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  109 

who  thereupon  became  more  intently  interested  in  some 
distant  objects,  waiting  with  well-assured  shrewdness 
to  be  drawn  out  by  further  questioning. 

"  Has  she  been  in  to  see  Grace  ?"  aske*d  the  staff  lady. 

"  No/7  replied  her  ladyship,  promptly.  "  She  went 
in  to  see  Mr.  Truscott." 

Instantly  Mrs.  Raymond  and  Mrs.  Turner  exchanged 
glances  of  much  significance,  which  Mrs.  Pelham  was 
as  quick  to  observe,  and  which,  as  soon  as  satisfied  that 
she  had  observed,  the  two  ladies  discontinued  and  again 
became  absorbed  and  preoccupied  in  manner. 

The  other  lady  said  "  Oh  !" 

Now,  there  are  dozens  of  ways  of  saying  "  oh,"  each 
eminently  expressive  of  some  different  idea  or  emotion. 
This  one  was  eminently  expressive  of,  "Well,  of  course 
it's  her  own  business,  but  if  /were  in  her  place,"  etc., 
and  then  there  was  a  general  lull  of  at  least  three 
seconds  in  the  conversation.  Just  enough  had  been 
said,  indicated,  and  acted  to  pique  her  ladyship's  curi 
osity  to  the  utmost.  She  readily  divined  that  any  one 
of  the  three  ladies  could  impart  interesting  information, 
and  as  all  sat  silent,  as  no  attempt  had  been  made  by 
any  one  of  them  to  change  the  subject  of  conversation, 
it  was  evident  enough  that  all  she  had  to  do  was  to 
start  them  and  the  story,  whatever  it  was,  would  speedily 
be  at  her  service.  There  are  women  in  the  army,  thank 
God !  who  at  such  a  crisis  would  have  calmly  and  de 
cidedly  led  the  talk  into  another  channel  and  virtually 
have  declined  to  be  made  the  recipients  of  a  garrison 
scandal,  but  their  number  is  not  legion,  and  Lady  Pel- 
ham  is  not  of  their  number. 

The  silence  was  broken  by  her. 
16 


HO  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

"  Why,  I  hope  there  is  no  reason  why  I  should  not 
like  Mrs.  Tanner.  Is  there,  Mrs.  Raymond?" 

"No  indeed.  Far  from  it — only "  said  that 

politic  lady,  beginning  vehemently  and  concluding 
with  vague  and  hesitating  manner,  indicative  of  any 
thing  but  triumphant  confidence. 

"If  anything  is  not  as  it  should  be,  surely  /ought 
to  know  it/'  persisted  madame,  slowly  and  impressively ; 
"  and  surely,  Mrs.  Raymond,  my  friends  ought  not  to 
keep  me  in  ignorance." 

This  being  precisely  what  both  Mrs.  Raymond  and 
Mrs.  Turner  thought,  and  exactly  what  both  expected 
Mrs.  Pelham  to  say  at  this  juncture,  a  little  further 
coquetting  with  the  subject  became  appropriate. 

"Indeed,  Mrs.  Pelham,  there  isn't  anything, — that 
is,  I  never  believed  it ;  and  it's  something  I  never  can 
bear  to  think  of,  and  have  never  alluded  to,"  said  Mrs. 
Raymond,  and  actually  at  the  moment  she  believed  her 
own  assertion. 

"  Mrs.  Turner,  it  is  evidently  a  matter  you  all  know. 
Is  there  any  reason  (majestically)  why  J  should  dot  be 
informed  ?" 

"  Oh,  dear,  no !  Mrs.  Pelham,"  replied  Mrs.  Turner, 
"  only  it's  a  thing  I  never  would  have  mentioned  for 
the  world.  Even  now  I  can't  believe  it ;  and  when  I 
heard  it  at  the  time,  you  know,  Nellie  (appealingly  to 
Mrs.  Raymond),  I  said  it  couldn't  be  true.  She  was 
too  thorough  a  lady,  and  then  he  had  never " 

"Yes,  I  know,  dear,"  broke  in  Mrs.  Raymond,  "and 
so  did  I,  and  how  it  ever  got  out  I  never  could  imagine. 
I  know  Captain  Raymond  was  furious  when  he  heard 
that  Mrs.  McGinty,  of  the  infantry,  speak  of  it,  and 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  Ill 

he  said  it  would  be  a  bad  day  for  the  gossips  if  it  ever 
reached  Truscott's  ears." 

"Truscott!  Mr.  Truscott!"  exclaimed  Lady  Pel- 
ham,  now  all  agog  with  curiosity.  "  Pray  what  had 
he  to  do  with  it?" 

And  then,  little  by  little,  in  fragments,  and  with 
mutual  assistance,  promptings,  and  suggestions,  but 
never  without  such  comments  as,  "  You  know  I  can't 

believe  it,  although "  and,  "  He  has  never  shown 

her  any  more  attention  than  he  has  anybody  else,  ex 
cept "  etc.,  etc.,  the  direful  story  came  out. 

Divested  of  its  feminine  embroidery,  it  amounted, 
substantially,  to  this :  Truscott  had  been  first  lieutenant 
of  Tanner's  troop  in  the  old  Kansas  days,  and  when  in 
garrison,  which  was  seldom,  had  shown  a  decided  fond 
ness  for  spending  his  evenings  at  the  Tanners'  quarters ; 
he  "  messed  with  them,"  as  the  army  expression  goes, 
in  the  days  when  only  two  companies  of  the  — th  were 
stationed  at  Fort  Harker,  and  he  did  not  find  the  society 
of  the  infantry  officers  altogether  as  desirable  as  it  sub 
sequently  became. 

He  used  to  write  frequently  to  them  after  he  was 
made  adjutant  and  joined  headquarters,  especially  after 
the  baby  died,  and  all  this  seemed  natural  enough. 
When  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Arizona,  Captain 
Tanner's  troop  went  with  the  first  detachment,  leaving 
Kansas  early  in  December.  Truscott  did  not  arrive 
in  Arizona  until  some  months  after  they  did.  Tanner 
with  his  company  was  out  on  a  scout,  and  she,  with 
her  new  mite  of  a  baby,  was  at  Camp  Phoenix  when 
Truscott  unexpectedly  appeared  at  the  post  and  went, 
within  an  hour  of  his  arrival,  to  call  upon  her,  and 


U2  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Mrs.  Treadwell,  rushing  in  unceremoniously  as  next- 
door  neighbors  will,  was  stupefied  to  find  Mrs.  Tanner 
sobbing  in  Jack  Truscott's  arms.  She  could  have  sworn 
she  was  looking  up  in  his  face  and  kissing  him  as  she 
entered  the  hall  and  saw  them  through  the  half-opened 
door.  Now,  in  justice  to  Mrs.  Treadwell,  who  was 
the  wife  of  one  of  the  prominent  field-officers  of  the 
regiment  and  a  most  worthy  woman,  let  it  be  recorded 
that  for  an  entire  fortnight  she  kept  the  thing  to  her 
self. 

Truscott  was  at  the  post  four  days,  and  during  that 
time  had  otherwise  shown  no  more  attention  to  Mrs. 
Tanner  than  to  the  other  ladies,  and  possibly  not  a  soul 
would  ever  have  heard  of  this  affair  but  for  the  fact 
that  a  nurse-maid  employed  by  Mrs.  Tanner  was  sud^ 
denly  discharged  about  this  time  for  good  and  sufficient 
reason,  and  was  furnished  transportation  to  the  nearest 
town.  Servants  were  scarce  and  high  in  Arizona,  and 
the  Abigail  had  no  difficulty  in  finding  immediate  em 
ployment,  and  in  informing  her  new  mistress,  the  wife 
of  a  large  contractor,  that  the  reason  of  her  leaving 
Mrs.  Tanner  was  that  she  couldn't  stay  in  a  house  where 
there  was  such  goings  on  as  she  had  seen  between  her 
and  the  adjutant.  Thus  started,  the  story  attained  in 
less  than  no  time  colossal  proportions  and  soon  reached 
Camp  Phoenix.  Mrs.  Treadwell  was  told  confidentially 
by  another  lady  of  the  servant's  story,  and  was  asked 
point-blank  whether  she  had  ever  noticed  anything, 
which,  being  a  next-door  neighbor,  she  might  have 
done,  and,  the  lady  being  her  most  intimate  friend, 
Mrs.  Treadwell  imparted  her  secret. 

Thus  it  was  that  the  story  gained  the  solid  foundation 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  113 

that  first  was  lacking,  but  once  surely  grounded  there 
is  no  telling  to  what  heights  an  army  story  may  not 
soar.  It  fairly  flew  about  from  post  to  post,  and  women 
who  had  never  seen  anything  out  of  the  way  in  the 
friendship  of  the  Tanners  and  Truscott  before  now  re 
called  a  dozen  suspicious  circumstances  they  never  could 
account  for.  This  explained  her  agitation  at  Yuma  on 
receiving  a  letter  in  his  handwriting.  This  was  why 
she  never  could  listen  to  any  of  the  stories  in  circulation 
about  other  people's  frivolities.  This  was  why  he  was 
so  set  against  gossip  and  small  talk,  and  finally  a  dozen 
ladies  of  the  — th  had  settled  in  their  own  minds  that 
that  artful  little  Mrs.  Tanner  was  actually  the  cause  of 
his  broken  engagement.  How  they  wished  they  knew 
the  girl's  name ! 

Nor  was  it  a  story  confined  to  the  fair  sex.  Such 
worthies  as  Mrs.  Wilkins  and  others  had  speedily  im 
parted  it  to  their  husbands  and  to  the  men  who  were 
jealous  of  Truscott;  and  Canker,  Crane,  Wilkins,  and 
others  of  that  ilk  had  stealthily  discussed  it  among 
themselves,  but  had  been  cautious  enough  to  say  noth 
ing  about  it  to  Truscott's  friends  or  to  Tanner's.  One 
night,  however,  Mrs.  Turner,  in  the  exasperation  of 
some  trivial  matrimonial  squabble,  stung  by  a  most  in 
judicious  though  very  just  comparison  drawn  by  her 
liege  lord  between  her  conduct  and  Mrs.  Tanner's,  had 
burst  forth  with,  "  Mrs.  Tanner,  indeed ;  if  you  knew 
what  I  know  about  that  woman  you  would  not  dare 
insult  me  by  comparing  me  with  her  !"  whereat  honest 
Captain  Turner  was  thunderstruck,  and  then  very  flatly 
told  his  wife  that  he  had  heard  too  many  garrison  sto 
ries  laid  at  her  door,  and  warned  her  that  there  was 
h  10* 


114  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR 

one  woman  she  had  better  not  asperse,  and  that  was 
Mrs.  Tanner. 

Oh,  foolish  and  short-sighted  mortal !  What  greater 
provocation  could  he  give  the  wife  of  his  bosom  ?  In 
a  minute  she  had  accused  Mrs.  Tanner,  and  that  "  par 
agon  of  yours,  Mr.  Truscott,"  of  half  the  sins  in  the 
decalogue,  and  was.  ready  to  prove  it.  "Ask  Mrs. 
Raymond,  ask  Mrs,  Wilkins,  ask  Mrs.  Anybody," 
flashed  the  indignant  lady  in  response  to  the  pishes 
and  pshaws  and  trashes  with  which  he  greeted  her  ve 
hement  recital,  till  finally  both  had  lost  utter  control 
of  their  tempers,  and  Captain  Turner  had  clinched  the 
nail  of  his  domestic  enormities  by  slamming  out  of  the 
room  with  the  parting  remark,  "  Well,  my  dear,  if  you 
have  known  all  this  of  Mr.  Truscott  for  the  last  six 
months,  your  eagerness  for  his  society  and  attentions  is 
utterly  unbecoming,  to  say  the  least,"  and  very  properly 
she  would  not  speak  to  him  for  a  week  afterwards. 

All  the  same,  Turner  was  seriously  discomfited ;  he 
thoroughly  liked  Truscott  and  he  loved  his  regiment, 
was  proud  of  its  name  and  its  record,  proud  of  the 
honor  of  its  officers  and  of  their  ladies.  In  her  fury 
Mrs.  Turner  had  told  him  that  those  two  names,  Trus- 
eott's  and  Mrs.  Tanner's,  were  bandied  about  all 
through  the  Territory.  He  didn't  believe  it,  but  some 
thing  had  to  be  done  if  such  were  the  case.  He  didn't 
want  to  go  to  the  colonel  with  the  story,  for  then  there 
would  be  an  awful  row.  He  did  not  want  to  go  to  Trus 
cott,  for  then  he  would  have  to  give  his  authority,  and 
the  chances  were  that  in  tracing  the  thing  to  its  foun 
dation  there  would  be  no  end  of  snarls  and  entangle 
ments,  and  if  any  man  was  found  to  have  had  a  word 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  H5 

in  the  thing,  why,  the  Lord  be  merciful  to  us,  thought 
Turner — Truscott  or  that  man  would  have  a  military 
funeral,  and  we're  having  too  much  of  that  now.  Ray 
mond  was  away  and  he  couldn't  consult  him  ;  as  for 
the  others,  the  only  man  at  headquarters  whom  he  felt 
willing  to  talk  to  was  old  Bucketts,  and  Bucketts  had 
blocked  the  whole  game  by  sharply  declining  to  hear  a 
word  on  the  subject.  "  I  don't  know ;  I  don't  want  to 
know.  Whatever  it  is,  it's  a  d — d  infamous  lie,  and  I 
won't  listen  to  it  I"  said  the  quartermaster  hotly.  It 
seems  he  had  overheard  Canker  and  Wilkins  one  even 
ing,  had  just  caught  enough  of  their  conversation  to 
get  the  drift  of  it,  and  had  thereupon  burst  upon  their 
startled  ears  with  such  a  "  tongue-lashing"  as  even  their 
wives  did  not  often  devote  to  them.  Just  what  to  do 
Turner  could  not  imagine,  but,  as  has  been  said,  the 
all-engrossing  excitements  of  the  campaign  soon  drove 
the  matter  out  of  his  thoughts,  and  when  that  was 
over  the  ladies  had  apparently  dropped  it.  Then  Ma 
jor  and  Mrs.  Treadwell  had  been  promoted  to  another 
sphere  of  duty  and  left  Arizona,  and  up  to  this  day 
neither  Tanner,  Truscott,  nor  Colonel  Pelham  had  ever 
heard  a  word  of  the  story.  As  for  Mrs.  Tanner,  it 
soon  became  evident  even  to  her  detractors  that  her 
general  character  and  conduct  would  absolutely  render 
them  liable  to  the  imputation  of  deliberate  slander. 
The  men  would  listen  to  no  repetition  of  their  state 
ments.  The  contractor's  wife,  who  with  the  nurse  had 
started  the  story,  had  both  fallen  into  the  further  dis 
repute  to  be  expected  of  them,  and  Mrs.  Treadwell,  the 
one  reliable  though  only  partial  witness,  was  now  two 
thousand  miles  away.  And  so  the  story  only  smoul- 


11(5  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

dered  for  two  or  three  years,  and  even  when,  a  few 
months  before  the  coming  of  her  ladyship,  the  Tanners 
had  been  transferred  with  their  troop  to  regimental 
headquarters,  and  several  ladies  watchfully  waited  to 
note  the  bearing  of  Truscott  and  Mrs.  Tanner  towards 
each  other,  the  sharpest  eye  could  detect  no  differ 
ence  between  the  grave  courtesy  with  which  he  always 
treated  her  in  public  and  that  which  marked  his  inter 
course  with  all  the  rest. 

As  for  other  indications,  he  perhaps  was  more  fre 
quently  at  Tanner's  at  dinner  or  tea  than  elsewhere, 
but  always  with  Tanner,  and  it  must  be  confessed  that 
the  situation  was  rather  disappointing. 

All  this  or  most  of  it,  and  much  more  than  some 
parts  of  it,  Mrs.  Pelhani  listened  to  with  politely 
veiled  avidity,  and  when  finally  she  had  extracted  all 
the  information  possible  from  her  three  not  unwilling 
witnesses  (once  started  they  outrivalled  one  another  in 
volubility),  she  carefully  expressed  her  conviction  that 
though  there  might  have  been  something  very  impru 
dent  some  years  past,  it  was  all  over  and  done  with 
now.  "  And  so  we  won't  tell  any  one  of  this  conver 
sation,  will  we?"  was  the  parting  injunction  to  the 
ladies  of  her  "suite"  as  the  appearance  of  Colonel 
Pelham,  sturdily  tramping  up  the  walk,  warned  them 
that  it  was  time  to  change  the  subject.  Then  as  that 
gentleman  manifested  no  desire  to  remain  with  them, 
but  immediately  inquired  for  Truscott  and  went  in  to 
-see  him,  the  ladies,  finding  other  subjects  of  trivial  in 
terest  compared  with  the  one  they  had  so  wellnigh 
exhausted,  concluded  to  leave. 

But  tell  it  Mrs.  Pelham  did,  and  mercilessly,  and  soon 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  his  prophecy  that  Canker  ami 
the  boys  would  whip  the  renegades  back  into  the  reser 
vation  in  two  or  three  days,  the  general  determined  to 
go  down  to  Sandy  and  take  a  hand  himself,  All  that 
day  he  had  fidgeted  about  the  office  dissatisfied  with 
the  meagre  reports  that  came,  and  the  more  that  came 
the  more  it  looked  as  though  Canker's  brief  adminis 
tration  of  command  had  not  been  felicitous.  At  five 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  he  quietly  appeared  at  the 
house,  and  without  telling  Colonel  Pelham  of  his  in 
tention,  was  making  his  characteristically  brief  prep 
arations  for  the  start  when  the  colonel  caught  him  in 
the  act,  and  very  positively  announced  that  he  would 
go  too.  Mrs.  Pelham  had  protested,  of  course,  but 
there  were  some  things  in  which  she  could  not  move 
her  lord,  and  this  was  one  of  them.  "There,  now, 
Dolly,"  he  said,  "  that  will  do.  I've  only  ten  minutes 
in  which  to  get  ready  and  no  time  for  argument. 
Where's  Grace-?"  So  Grace  came  with  ready  hand  to 
her  father's  assistance,  asking  no  questions  and  evi 
dently  regarding  his  decision  as  eminently  proper  and 
incontrovertible. 

Her  ladyship  would  fain  have  button-holed  the 
general  himself  and  importuned  him  not  to  let  the 
colonel  go,  but,  once  before  in  her  life,  such  a  perform- 


118  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

ance  on  her  part  had  come  to  the  ears  of  her  ordinarily 
placid  and  even-tempered  husband,  and  his  remarks 
anent  that  piece  of  petticoat  interference  had  been  a 
revelation.  Indeed,  nothing  but  tears,  contrition,  and 
a  solemn  promise  on  her  part  never,  nevei  to  do  such 
a  thing  again  had  saved  her  from  consequences  more 
serious  than  a  marital  lecture ;  but  this  was  a  long  time 
ago,  so  long  that  her  resolution  never  to  do  so  again 
had  been  modified  by  the  mental  reservation  of  "  when 
there  is  a  possibility  of  being  found  out." 

The  general,  indeed,  had  not  intended  to  take  Pel- 
ham  with  him,  yet  was  secretly  glad  to  have  him  return 
at  once  to  Sandy.  "  Things  worked  better  when  he  was 
there."  And  so  it  resulted  that  by  six  o'clock  that 
afternoon  Jack  Truscott  found  himself  left  alone  in  a 
household  of  ladies. 

To  say  that  he  was  downright  unhappy  over  the 
circumstance  would  be  more  than  so  gallant  and  cour 
teous  a  man  as  Truscott  would  say  himself,  but  to  say 
that  he,  on  the  contrary,  was  not,  would  be  a  wide 
departure  from  the  truth.  He  knew  nothing  of  his 
superior's  plans  until  the  ambulance  drove  up  to  the 
door,  and  the  sight  of  the  general's  favorite  aide  in  his 
well-worn  and  well-known  scouting  costume  sent  Trus- 
cott's  pulse  up  to  one  hundred  and  twenty  at  a  bound. 

Stepping  into  the  hall,  he  met  Grace  with  her  father's 
cloak  and  Navajo  blanket  in  her  arms.  "  We  are  steal 
ing  a  march  on  you,  Mr.  Truscott,"  she  smilingly  re 
marked,  glancing  over  her  shoulder  at  the  colonel 
himself,  who  came  waddling  after  her  down  the  stairs. 
Shall  it  be  recorded?  Truscott's  eyes,  full  of  surprise 
and  pain,  even  of  reproach,  had  not  so  much  as  a  glance 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  119 

for  her;  lie  answered  not  a  word,  but  mutely  stood 
questioning  his  chief. 

"I  couldn't  help  it,  my  dear  boy;  don't  look  as 
though  I  had  deserted  you/'  that  warm-hearted  gentle 
man  had  hastened  to  explain.  "  I  only  knew  fifteen 
minutes  ago  that  the  general  was  going,  and  I  decided 
to  slip  off  and  run  down  with  him.  I  knew  just  how 
you'd  feel,  Truscott,  and  hadn't  the  heart  to  tell  you. 
Confound  it,  man,  I'm  only  going  to  Sandy,  not  into 
the  field,  and  if  you'll  only  keep  quiet  you  wiil  be  able 
to  come  down  yourself  in  less  than  a  week." 

"  Has  anything  gone  wrong  ?"  asked  Tru,  i*>tt. 

"  Nothing  at  all.  Only  the  general  wa^ts  to  look 
after  things  himself,  and  can  do  so  more  readily  at 
Sandy  than  here.  I'll  leave  Mrs.  Pelh&  a.  in  your 
charge,  and  you  in  Grace's.  Think  you  can  keep  him 
in  subjection,  daughter?  He  is  tractable  enough  ordi 
narily,  but  just  now  he  wants  a  steady  hand." 

Then  the  general  came  forth,  followed  by  his  philo 
sophical  wife,  who  was  amiably  assuring  Lady  Pelham 
that  this  was  a  thing  she  wouldn't  mind  after  six 
months  in  Arizona.  "I've  grown  so  used  to  it  as 
never  to  be  surprised  at  his  waking  up  and  starting  off 
somewhere  in  the  dead  of  night." 

Five  minutes  more  and  the  ambulance  had  rattled 
off  down  the  hill,  leaving  the  three  ladies  and  Truscott 
a  silent  group  on  the  piazza, — Grace  looking  sad  and 
anxious,  madame  melodramatic,  Truscott  very  pale  and 
quiet,  and  their  hostess  alone  cheery. 

"  Come,  now,  I  won't  have  any  moping,"  she  said. 
u  We'll  get  everybody  up  here  this  evening  and  have 
lots  of  fun.  Jack  Truscott,  you  shall  have  twenty 


120  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

nurses.  Grace,  all  the  infantry  boys  will  be  here  on 
your  account.  Come,  let's  go  in  and  order  tea.  I'm 
hungry  as  a  dozen  bears." 

Early  in  the  evening  Truscott  managed  to  slip  away 
from  the  noisy  party  assembled  in  the  parlor  and  sought 
his  own  room.  He  excused  himself  to  his  hostess  on 
the  plea  of  fatigue,  and  she,  big-hearted  woman  that 
she  was,  and  knowing  full  well  that  his  heart  was  any 
where  but  in  the  glee  and  merriment  and  music  and 
twaddle  going  on,  covered  his  retreat  very  successfully. 

Later  she  went  to  his  door  with  some  comforting 
drink  of  her  own  manufacture,  found  him  sitting  up 
and  pretending  to  read,  and  later  still,  noting  the  in 
terest  with  Avhich  Grace  had  inquired  for  him,  she  placed 
some  delicate  custard  in  her  hands,  saying,  "  Take  it  to 
him;  he'll  like  it." 

Truscott  heard  the  light  footsteps  he  had  already 
learned  to  recognize  coming  along  the  hall,  then  a  pause 
at  his  door,  and  presently  a  timid,  fluttering  little  knock. 
"  Come  in,"  he  said. 

The  door  slowly  opened,  and  there  stood  Grace  upon 
the  threshold  smiling  and  with  a  suspicion  of  heightened 
color  in  her  face.  He  rose  to  greet  her,  but  she  pro 
tested.  "  Don't  get  up ;  I  was  asked  to  bring  this  to 
you,"  with  the  slightest  emphasis  on  the  "asked." 
Nevertheless  he  stepped  to  the  doorway,  took  the  cus 
tard  from  her  hands,  and  then,  leaning  against  the 
door-post,  stood  looking  down  at  her. 

"  Miss  Pelham,  are  you  in  a  merciful  mood  ?"  he 
asked. 

"  I !  Unquestionably.  Why  not  ?"  And  the  earnest 
eyes  looked  frankly  up  in  his  face. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  121 

"Then  you  will  grant  me  absolution  for  a  sin  of 
omission,"  he  said,  smiling.  t(  The  sight  of  my  chief 
starting  for  the  war-path  startled  me  into  a  rudeness 
towards  you." 

"  In  that  you  did  not  answer  an  utterly  unimportant 
remark  of  mine,  I  suppose.  As  you  ought  to  have  dis 
covered,  Mr.  Truscott,  I  claim  to  be  a  soldier's  daughter, 
and  do  not  expect  to  be  considered  at  such  a  time." 

"  Then  you  are  a  marvellous  exception  to  the  rest  of 
your  sisterhood,"  said  Jack,  with  an  emphatic  impul 
siveness  very  unusual  in  him. 

"  Indeed,  Mr.  Truscott  ?  Is  that  your  opinion  of 
our  sex  ?  How  did  you  ever  succeed  in  winning  the 
name  of  being  so  very  gallant  and  courteous,  I  wonder  ? 
I  thought  you  the  champion  of  all  the  ladies  of  the 
regiment.  I'm  sure  they  do ;  and  what  would  they  say 
if  your  treachery  were  known  ?"  she  added,  laughing. 

"  I  am  at  your  mercy,"  he  replied.  "  Betray  me  and 
I  am  ruined.  Thank  you  for  bringing  this  to  me,  and 
good-night.  Don't  let  me  keep  you  from  the  fun." 

A  ring  at  the  door-bell,  and  the  servant  admitted  a 
tall  sergeant  of  cavalry.  "  A  despatch  for  Lieutenant 
Truscott,"  they  heard  him  say.  Truscott  called  to  him 
to  come  thither,  and  as  he  opened  the  envelope  Grace, 
not  knowing  why,  but  anxious  for  any  news,  remained. 

Leaning  against  the  casement  he  slowly  read  the 
message,  and  Grace  patiently  stood  looking  up  into  the 
pale,  clear-cut  face. 

"  This  will  be  welcome  news  to  Mrs.  Tanner,"  he 
said,  presently,  "  and  I  would  like  her  to  know  it  to 
night.  Is  she  here  ?"  he  asked  Grace. 

"  Mrs.  Tanner  ?  No.  She  has  not  been  here  at  all." 
F  11 


122  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"  She  never  had  heart  for  fun  of  any  kind  when  he 
was  in  the  field,  Miss  Pelham,  and  this  will  greatly 
relieve  her  anxiety.  His  company  is  ordered  to  re 
main  at  the  agency  on  guard  for  a  few  days ;  the  others 
have  gone  across  into  the  Red  Rock  country.  Take 
this  over  to  Captain  Lee's  quarters  and  ask  that  it  be 
shown  to  Mrs.  Tanner  at  once,  sergeant,  then  come  back 
to  me,"  he  said  ;  then  turning  again  to  Grace,  "  Late  as 
it  is  I  think  she  will  still  be  awake,  and  this  news  may 
put  her  to  sleep." 

"I  am  so  glad  for  her  sake.  She  seems  so  very 
lovable  a  woman.  They  have  all  been  extremely  pleas 
ant  to  me,  but  there  was  something  especially  winning 
in  her  manner,  and  I  like  her  greatly.  You  know  her 
very  well,  do  you  not?"  asked  she,  still  looking  frankly 
up  in  his  eyes. 

"  Better  than  any  of  the  ladies,  I  think,"  he  replied. 
"  May  I  ask  how  you  so  readily  divine  my  friend 
ships  ?" 

"  I  had  heard  that  you  were  very  warm  friends.  It 
was  Mr.  Glenham  who  told  me — I  think."  (You 
knew,  Grace,  and  it  wasn't  like  you  to  hesitate  there.) 

"Ah,  yes, — Glenham,"  he  repeated,  while  for  the 
life  of  him  he  could  not  repress  a  mischievous  merri 
ment  on  noting  how  at  the  mention  of  the  name  she 
had  faltered,  and,  under  the  steady  glance  of  h?3  eyes, 
colored  red  an  instant  after.  "  Glenhara  has  doubtless 
been  a  most  efficient  means  of  strengthening  your  ac 
quaintance  with  the  regiment,  but  I  warn  you  against 
his  enthusiasm ;  you  will  come  expecting  to  find  us 
models  of  genius  and  geniality,  and  will  be  all  the 
more  bitterly  disappointed." 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  123 

"  He  certainly  glories  in  his  regiment,  Mr.  Truscott, 
and,  as  one  of  his  heroes,  you  ought  not  to  disparage 
his  opinions." 

"  Grace  dear,  I  want  you,"  at  this  juncture  was  heard 
in  solemn  and  remorseless  tones  from  the  other  end  of 
the  hall.  Grace  started  like  the  guilty  thing  she  cer 
tainly  was  not,  and  beheld  the  matronly  form  of  her 
ladyship  rigidly  posed  at  the  parlor-door.  There  was 
something  indefinably,  gratingly  disagreeable  about  her 
voice  and  manner,  that  intangible  something  thai  a 
woman  can  throw  into  her  tones  as  expressive  of  the 
extreme  of  displeasure,  and  yet  be  able  to  subsequently 
and  triumphantly  establish  that  you  have  no  grounds 
whatever  for  saying  so. 

"  Good-night,  Mr.  Truscott,"  said  Grace.  "  Please 
let  me  know  when  you  send  any  despatch  to  the  valley." 
Then  seeing  her  mother  still  stonily,  severely  awaiting 
her,  she  did  just  what  she  would  not  have  done  had 
she  felt  herself  un  watched, — turned,  held  out  her  slender 
hand,  and  said,  warmly,  "  I  do  hope  you  will  have  a 
good  night's  rest  and  feel  ever  so  much  better  to-mor 
row.  Good-night,"  and  then  walked  briskly  off  down 
the  hall,  looking  calmly  into  her  mother's  face.  That 
lady  contented  herself  for  the  time  being  with  ushering 
her  erring  daughter  into  the  parlor.  It  must  be  ad 
mitted  that  the  latter  had  delayed  much  longer  at  Trus- 
cott's  door  than  the  delivery  of  a  plate  of  custard  could 
possibly  warrant,  and  that  her  present  attitude  towards 
her  mother  was  not  as  dutiful  and  loving  as  it  might  be. 

Half  an  hour  afterwards,  when  the  guests  of  the 
evening  had  gone  home  and  the  ladies  were  preparing 
to  abandon  the  parlor,  Truscott  himself  appeared  at 


12-1  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

the  doorway.  Her  ladyship  was  at  the  moment  in 
dulging  in  some  slight  refreshment  in  the  dining-room. 
He  held  a  large  despatch  envelope  in  his  hand.  "  Miss 
Pel  ham,  you  desired  me  to  let  you  know  when  I  had 
opportunity  of  sending  word  to  the  valley.  It  seems 
that  the  sergeant  is  to  start  at  daybreak  to  ride  in  search 
of  Captain  Canker's  command,  and  I  am  sending  a 
few  lines  by  him.  He  will  be  glad  to  take  anything 
you  have." 

"To  Captain  Canker's  command?  Thank  you,  Mr. 
Truscott.  I  do  not  know  of  any  one  with  him.  It 
was  to  father  I  wanted  to  write." 

"  Oh,  pardon  me,"  said  Jack.  "  I'm  sorry,  but  the  ser 
geant  will  cross  the  valley  way  to  the  north  of  the  post, 
and  won't  be  apt  to  see  any  one  from  there.  I  thought 
it  possible  you  might  wish  to  send  a  message  after  some 
friends  in  the  field  column." 

"  I  believe  not,"  she  answered.  "  Who  is  there  with 
him  to  whom  I  owe  a  message  ?"  she  asked,  laugh 
ingly. 

"  I  can  simply  answer  for  it  that  there  are  six  or 
eight  who  would  be  most  happy  to  receive  one,"  said 
he,  with  an  odd  relapse  into  his  regimental  manner 
of  somewhat  stately  courtesy.  "  May  I  be  the  trans 
mitter  ?" 

"Evidently  he  is  thinking  of  Mr.  Glenham,"  said 
Grace  to  herself,  and  a  strange  shade  of  annoyance 
swept  over  her.  His  change  of  manner  too  struck  her 
at  once. 

"  Is  it  the  customary  thing  in  Arizona  for  us  non- 
combatants  to  send  sustaining  and  encouraging  mes 
sages  to  the  front?"  she  coolly  inquired.  "If  so,  put 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  125 

me  down  for  anything  that  may  occur  to  you  as  at 
once  brilliant  and  to  the  point.  Mr.  Truscott,  that 
smile  is  satirical,  and  you  plainly  mean  to  indicate  that 
then  it  would  be  recognized  at  once  as  not  my  mcs- 


"  Miss  Pelham,  I  am  no  match  for  such  acuteness. 
Are  you  repenting  having  shown  mercy  half  an  hour 
ago?" 

"  Not  quite,  but  that  very  superior  smile  is  an  ag 
gravation,  I  confess.  Now,  who  is  there  to  whom  you 
supposed  I  wanted  to  send  a  message  ?  Answer  that." 

"  Let  me  answer  by  saying  that  Messrs.  Glen  ham, 
Hunter,  and  Dana  are  by  this  time  with  Captain  Can 
ker,  and  that  Mr.  Ray  with  his  company  will  have 
joined  him  to-morrow.  I  name  them  as  young  gentle 
men  any  one  of  whom  would  be  charmed  by  a  message 
from  you,  and  two  of  them  I  have  heard  absolutely 
raving  about  you." 

a  Now  you  expect  me  to  ask  which  two,  do  you  not  V 
But  I  decline.  Mr.  Ray  I  never  met  until  three  days 
ago,  though  I  have  heard  of  .him,  and  have  wanted  to 
know  him  ever  since  father  joined  the  —  th.  The 
others  I  knew  when  they  were  cadets.  Mr.  Hunter 
has  already  distinguished  himself.  Has  Mr.  Glenham 
been  engaged  ?" 

"  Is  not  that  a  matter  on  which  your  own  sex  would 
be  better  informed  than  I?"  he  asked,  wilfully  and 
mischievously. 

She  replied  almost  coldly. 

"The  question  is  utterly  unworthy  of  you,  Mr. 
Truscott.  I  mean,  and  you  know  I  mean,  to  ask  has 
Mr.  Glenham  been  in  action  ?" 

11* 


126  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"  She  must  know  perfectly  well  whether  he  has  or 
not/7  thought  Jack,  but  gravely  replied,  "  No.  Glen- 
ham  says  that  it  is  his  ill  luck.  He  has  had  a  few 
scouts,  but  the  Indians  have  kept  out  of  his  way  as 
yet.  My  note  is  to  him.  You  might  inspire  him." 

"  And  Mr.  Ray  ?"  she  queried. 

"Mr.  Ray  is  a  hero  of  many  engagements,  martial 
and  matrimonial,  and  I  am  bound  to  say  that  it  isn't 
his  fault  that  he  has  escaped  with  so  little  danger.  H^ 
has  received  more  recommendations  for  brevets  for  the 
one  and  more  '  mittens'  for  the  other  than  any  man  in 
the  regiment.  I  testify  to  the  first  as  custodian  of  the 
records,  to  the  second  on  his  own  frank  statements. 
Ray  says  that  he  has  been  refused  at  least  once  a  year 
ever  since  he  graduated." 

"  Mr.  Ray  is  unusually  candid.  Is  it  to  him  you 
suggest  my  sending  a  message  ?" 

"  I  do  not  presume  to  suggest  anybody.  You  de 
sired  to  be  informed  when  I  had  a  chance  of  sending  a 
messenger  to  '  the  valley/  and  I  was  so  much  in  error 
as  to  fancy  that  you  might  want  to  send  a  message  to 
some  one  in  the  command.  Then  my  sympathies  being 
with  the  possible  recipient  made  me  obtrusive.  I 
really  beg  pardon,  Miss  Pelharn." 

Stepping  to  the  door  he  quickly  summoned  the  ser 
geant,  handed  him  the  package,  u  Give  it  to  Lieuten 
ant  Glenharn,"  he  said,  and  then  returning  to  her  with 
a  quiet  smile  on  his  face,  "  So  it  goes  without  a  pleasant 
word  for  him  after  all,  Miss  Pelham." 

"  Certainly,"  said  Grace.  "  Mr.  Glenham  would  be 
surprised,  to  say  the  least,  at  receiving  any  message 
from  me." 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  127 

For  an  instant,  only  an  instant,  an  expression  of 
pain,  even  incredulity,  shot  across  his  face.  Brief 
as  it  was,  looking  steadfastly  into  his  eyes,  she  saw  it 
and  it  stung  her.  But  he  recovered  himself  and 
promptly,  pleasantly  spoke. 

"Then  it  seems  that  I  have  twice  to  ask  pardon. 
I'm  glad  my  first  offence  did  not  offend,  and  shall 
strive  to  make  amends  for  my  second." 

What  Grace  would  have  said  cannot  be  told.  Once 
again  there  suddenly  appeared  before  them  her  lady 
ship,  re-entering  from  the  dining-room  with  her  host 
ess.  Once  again  the  measured  tones  of  her  voice 
broke  in  upon  their  interview.  "  Well,  Mr.  Truscott, 
I  thought  you  left  us  two  hours  ago  to  seek  repose  ?" 

"I  did,  Mrs.  Pel  ham/7  replied  the  adjutant,  with 
calm  civility,  "  and  found  it."  And  then,  apparently 
inviting  further  remark,  he  stood  looking  seriously  down 
into  her  flushed  features.  She  began  to  hate  him  from 
that  minute,  but  then  it  was  the  most  natural  thing  in 
the  world  that  she  should  do  so. 

At  that  instant  there  came  a  knock  at  the  front  door, 
and  a  servant  handed  in  a  note.  "For  Lieutenant 
Truscott,"  he  said,  "  and  there  is  no  answer." 

"  Why,  Jack,"  said  the  general's  wife  in  her  straight^ 
forward  innocence  of  all  possible  harm,  "  that's  Mrs. 
Tanner's  writing.  What  is  she  sending  for  at  this  time 
of  night  ?  I  hope  Rosalie  isn't  sick.  She  can't  have 
bad  news  either.  What  is  it  ?" 

"  With  your  permission,  then,  I'll  open  it,"  said  he ; 
and  with  Mrs.  Pel  ham's  eyes  glaring  upon  him  he 
calmly  glanced  over  the  lines.  "  Nothing  wrong,"  he 
continued.  "  She  merely  writes  to  thank  me  for  send- 


128  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

ing  word  of  Tanner's  detention  at  the  agency."  And 
yet  madame  could  have  sworn  that  where  the  strong 
light  from  the  hall-lamp  fell  upon  the  page  in  his  hand 
she  distinctly  saw  the  words,  "God  bless  you,  dear 
Jack."  And  so  she  did. 

For  three  days  after  this  event  the  confinement  and 
monotony  of  his  life  would  have  told  on  a  man  stronger 
than  Truscott.  No  news  came  from  Canker's  command, 
no  especial  tidings  from  Sandy.  He  had  much  fever, 
and  was  confined  to  his  room  many  hours  each  day. 
When  he  did  appear  Grace  was  not  visible.  His  hostess 
brought  kind  inquiries  from  her  each  day,  arid  he  fre 
quently  heard  her  blithe  voice  in  the  hall  or  mingling 
in  the  hum  of  conversation  in  the  parlor.  On  the 
third  day,  while  the  doctor  was  dressing  his  shouldei 
and  congratulating  him  upon  a  release  from  confine 
ment  that  morning,  his  hostess,  who  had  been  unre 
mitting  in  her  care  of  and  attentions  to  her  favorite 
subaltern,  came  to  the  door  to  ask  the  doctor  if  she 
could  not  take  Mr.  Truscott  in  town  for  a  drive.  Re 
ceiving  his  permission,  she  was  off  in  a  moment,  and 
presently  came  back  delighted.  "  Jack,"  she  whispered, 
"  I  am  going  to  take  Grace,  too.  Her  ladyship  is  out 
of  the  way,  and  Grace  has  just  got  back  from  band 
practice.  Ain't  we  in  luck  ?" 

Truscott  expressed  due  enthusiasm,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  the  trio  were  bowling  along  the  smooth  road 
to  Prescott.  The  bracing  air,  the  bright  sunshine,  the 
rapid  motion,  perhaps  too  the  very  sweet  face  and  dainty 
form  of  Grace  Pelham  seated  so  near  him,  all  tended 
to  bring  brightness  to  his  eye  and  color  to  his  wan 
cheek.  Looking  critically  at  him  as  he  sat  opposite 


WINNING  IIIS  SPURS.  129 

her,  conversing  with  her  chaperon,  Grace  decided  that 
he  was  an  undeniably  handsome  man.  But  he  spoke 
very  little  to  or  with  her,  and  this  seemed  odd  to  the 
general's  lady.  Match-makers  as  her  sex  are  by  every 
instinct  of  their  being,  she  had  already  determined 
that  here  was  the  very  girl  she  wanted  to  see  married 
to  her  friend.  Rumors  of  Glenham's  devotion  had  of 
course  reached  her,  but  she  had  virtually  scouted  all 
ideas  of  the  kind.  Her  ladyship,  Mrs.  Pelham,  had 
twice  or  thrice  waxed  confidential  and  shown  an  incli 
nation  to  speak  of  him  and  of  Grace  in  conjunction, 
so  had  other  women,  but  the  lady  would  not  listen. 
"Don't  mention  him  in  the  same  breath,"  she  ex 
claimed  to  Mrs.  Wickham  and  to  Mrs.  Wilkins,  to 
the  latter's  huge  delight.  "She  has  more  brains  in 
her  little  finger  than  he  in  his  whole  good-natured 
head." 

Somebody  went  so  far  as  to  say  that  she  had  pitched 
into  her  husband,  the  general  himself,  for  inviting 
Glenham  to  dine  with  them  enfamille  before  the  ball. 
"  It's  as  good  as  giving  her  dead  away,  and  I  don't  be 
lieve  she  likes  it  at  all,"  was  what  she  did  say,  and  the 
chief  had  absolved  himself  by  explaining  that  Mrs, 
Pelham  herself  had  requested  it.  This  had  mollified 
madame  to  a  certain  extent,  but  increased  the  dislike 
she  had  already  begun  to  feel  for  that  lady. 

She  was  determined  to  bring  them  together,  and 
so,  on  arriving  in  town,  had  bounced  out  of  the  Con 
cord  wagon  (which  answered  all  her  purposes  as  well  as 
a  landau)  and  saying  she  merely  wanted  to  look  in  at 
two  or  three  shops,  had  precipitated  upon  her  unpre 
pared  companions  a  t&te-cl-t&te  which  neither  had  ex- 


COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

pected  and  yet  to  which  each  was  by  no  means  disin 
clined. 

From  all  that  he  had  heard,  Truscott  had  been  led 
to  suppose  that,  if  not  actually  engaged,  it  was  more 
than  probable  that  Miss  Pelham  and  his  friend  very 
soon  would  be.  Consequently,  when  he  confronted 
her  the  morning  after  the  ball,  her  face  bathed  in  tears, 
just  having  parted  from  her  lover  as  he  set  forth  on 
his  hurried,  probably  dangerous  duty,  Truscott  had 
many  reasons  for  supposing  that  the  rumors  were  true, 
and  that  it  was  not  altogether  a  loveless  match,  as  the 
ladies  would  have  made  it,  on  her  part.  Else  why 
should  she  have  been  so  distressed  at  parting?  He 
had  been  unfeignedly  glad  to  believe  she  did  care  so 
much  for  him.  He  knew  well  how  Glenham  loved 
her,  though  the  subject  had  never  been  mentioned  be 
tween  them.  Glenham,  indeed,  had  more  than  once 
given  shy  indication  that  he  would  not  mind  confiding 
the  whole  story  of  his  hopes  and  fears  to  his  friend, 
but  Truscott  never  invited  confidences  and  preferred 
not  to  be  made  a  recipient  in  this  case.  Everything 
Grace  said  or  did  attracted  him  from  the  first  moment 
of  their  meeting  up  to  the  time  of  his  sending  that 
letter  to  Glenham.  He  liked,  admired,  and  was  begin 
ning  to  feel  a  warm  interest  in  her,  when  she  calmly 
looked  him  in  the  face  and  said,  "  Mr.  Glenham  would 
be  surprised  at  receiving  any  message  from  me."  "  It 
was  all  very  well  in  her  to  decline  sending  a  message," 
thought  Jack,  "  but  why  should  she  attempt  to — why 
should  she  desire  to  deceive  me?  It's  none  of  my 
business,  of  course ;  but  it  isn't  what  I  had  hoped  for 
Glenham." 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  131 

As  for  Grace.  We  have  seen  that  she  did  not  care 
for  Glenhani,  and  was  distressed  by  his  avowal.  No 
woman  wants  to  be  considered  attached  to  a  man  for 
whom  she  feels  nothing  more  than  a  friendly  interest. 
She  saw  in  Jack  Truscott  a  knightly  soldier.  She  had 
heard  of  him  for  two  years  as  the  model  officer  of  the 
regiment,  her  father's  stand-by  and  stanchest  friend, 
and  when  she  met  him  he  was  bleeding  from  a  recent 
fray  in  which  all  knew  he  had  borne  himself  most  gal 
lantly.  She  saw  him,  even  in  his  fatigue  and  suffering, 
gentle,  patient,  courteous.  She  heard  of  his  bitter 
grief  in  the  loss  of  his  favorite  horse,  and,  thorough 
horsewoman  herself,  she  had  warmly  sympathized  with 
him  in  that  sorrow.  She  had  been  able  to  serve  him 
in  his  anxiety  and  loneliness  the  very  day  of  their  first 
meeting — then — then  she  had  been  made  to  suffer  on 
his  account,  to  bear  her  mother's  injustice  because  of 
her  interest  in  him,  and  then— and  now — he  believed 
her  engaged  to  or  in  love  with  Arthur  Glenham. 

Given  these  conditions  and  a  heart  absolutely  free 
before,  a  somewhat  romantic  streak  somewhere  in  her 
composition,  and  an  enthusiastic  love  for  all  that  was 
soldierly  and  knightly  in  man,  it  must  be  admitted  that 
it  only  needed  the  strenuous  opposition  of  parents  or 
circumstances  to  render  any  woman  liable  to  fall  in 
love.  And  now  Grace  Pelham  was  being  opposed  in 
what  she  deemed  a  perfectly  proper  and  justifiable 
interest  in  Mr.  Truscott.  She  was  being  reminded  in 
every  look  from  the  maternal  eye  that  she  was  expected 
to  concentrate  her  thoughts  on  Mr.  Arthur  Glenham. 

She Oh,  well,  why  dissect  the  situation  further? 

She  probably  would  have  indignantly  repudiated  the 


132  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

idea  that  already  she  was  falling  in  love.  Far  be  it 
from  the  writer  to  assert  anything  of  the  kind,  but  one 
thing  is  certain :  she  did  not  want  him  to  think  her 
engaged  to  or  in  love  with  his  friend,  Mr.  Glen  ham, 
and  was  worried  and  perturbed  in  spirit  that  he  evi 
dently  did  think  so.  More  than  that,  she  had  begun 
to  read  him  well  enough  to  realize  that  he  considered 
her  virtual  denial  of  Glenham  as  disingenuous,  and  this 
stung  her  to  the  quick.  Now  she  had  an  opportunity 
of  talking  uninterruptedly  with  him,  but  how  was  she 
to  introduce  such  a  subject  ?  Time  was  short.  It  was 
he  who  broke  the  silence. 

"  You  have  not  been  riding  since  I  came,  Miss  Pel- 
ham.  When  am  I  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you 
in  the  saddle  ?" 

"  Indeed  I  don't  know.  Everything  was  broken  up 
by  the  regiment's  rush  to  the  field.  We  have  been  so 
anxious  I  have  hardly  cared  to  ride,  and — shall  I  be 
humble  and  confess  it  ? — nobody  has  asked  me  since 
the  ball.  Don't  the  staff  or  infantry  officers  ride  ?"  . 

"  Some  of  the  youngsters  do,  very  well,"  said  Trus- 
cott.  "  Possibly  '  mounts'  are  not  to  be  had." 

"  But  Mr.  Glenham  rode  a  very  nice  horse,  and  we 
were  to  have  gone  again  day  before  yesterday,"  she  said, 
"  and  he  told  me  that  both  the  horses  we  used  were  regi 
mental  horses." 

"  They  are  off  in  the  Mogollon  range  somewhere  by 
this  time,  but  when  you  get  down  to  Sandy  you  shall 
ride  all  you  can  desire.  We  have  just  the  very  nicest 
kind  of  a  '  mount'  for  you  there,  a  quick,  nimble  little 
bay  full  of  style  and  action,  plenty  of  fire,  tqo,  and  I 
do  not  believe  a  horse  at  Sandy  can  catch  him.  Glen- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  133 

ham  wants  to  buy  him  provided  the  company  com 
mander  will  part  with  him." 

"To  whose  company  does  he  belong?" 

"  Captain  Tanner's,"  answered  Truscott.  "  You  will 
easily  win  him  over  to  your  cause,  for  he  worships  a 
woman  who  rides  well." 

"  Then  Mrs.  Tanner  must  want  to  keep  the  horse ; 
she  rides,  of  course  ?" 

"No,  Mrs.  Tanner  never  rides.  It  is  one  of  the 
sorrows  of  her  life,  I  think ;  she  gave  up  all  attempts 
some  years  ago." 

"What  a  pity!  An  army  woman  who  cannot  ride 
loses  half  the  joy  of  being  in  the  cavalry ;  but,  does  no 
one  besides  Mr.  Glenham  ride  the  horse  you  speak  of?" 

"  A  trumpeter  boy  of  Tanner's  troop  ordinarily,  and 
Tanner  won't  let  the  ladies  at  Sandy  ride  him  at  all ; 
their  hands  are  too  uncertain,  he  says.  As  for  Glen- 
ham  or  any  of  our  heavy  weights,  he  would  not  per 
mit  it." 

"  Then  how  did  you  and  Mr.  Glenham  decide  he 
would  be  just  the  mount  for  me?" 

"Ray  did  that,  I  believe;  he  doesn't  ride  over  a 
hundred  and  forty,  and  has  a  very  light  hand,  light  as 
any  girl's  on  the  bit,  and  Tanner  would  let  him  have 
his  whole  stable.  When  your  coming  was  first  an 
nounced,  and  the  young  officers  commenced  telling  of 
your  riding  at  the  Point,  they  decided  on  having  a 
suitable  horse  for  you.  Kay  came  up  from  Cameron 
on  a  scout,  and  he  picked  out  '  Ranger,'  and  last  week 
Glenham  was  in  despair  because  there  was  no  suitable 
side-saddle,  and  the  colonel  said  it  would  be  some  time 
before  yours  could  arrive." 
12 


134  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

("  Always  <  Glenham'  or  '  they,  the  young  officers/  n 
thought  Grace.  "  Am  I  so  far  beneath  him  that  he 
could  not  afford  to  take  any  part  in  these  prepara 
tions?") 

"  You  have  never  ridden  '  Ranger'  yourself,  then, 
Mr.  Truscott?" 

"  Three  or  four  times,  possibly,  just  to  try  him  and 
teach  him  a  little  better  manners  than  he  would  be  apt 
to  learn  from  his  ordinary  rider,  the  trumpeter." 

"Will  he  stand  the  skirt,  do  you  think?  That 
seems  to  be  the  great  objection  at  first  to  a  spirited 
horse." 

"  Very  well ;  he  has  been  practised  with  a  trailing 
blanket  and  then  with  Mrs.  Tanner's  old  skirt." 

"  And  Captain  Tanner — or  was  it  the  young  officers, 
as  you  say,  who  took  all  these  precautions  in  my  be 
half?  Pray  whom  am  I  to  thank?" 

"  Nobody,  Miss  Pelham.  They  all  look  upon  a  young 
lady  who  would  resign  the  sweets  of  civilization  to  come 
out  to  us  as  a  being  for  whom  no  degree  of  devotion 
can  be  too  great." 

"  Now,  Mr.  Truscott,  that  is  all  very  gratifying,  too 
good  to  be  true,  perhaps,  and  I  mean  to  cross-examine 
you  a  moment.  You  say  '  they  all/  referring,  I  sup 
pose,  to  the  ' young  officers'  aforementioned.  Now  tell 
me  to  whom  you  refer ;  I  had  been  led  to  suppose  that 
of  the  four  companies  at  Sandy,  Mr.  Glenham,  Mr. 
Crane,  and  Mr.  Carroll  were  the  only  young  officers, 
the  other  lieutenants  being  on  leave  or  staff  duty,  or 
detached  in  some  way,  or  like  Mr.  Wilkins,  married 
and  settled  down ;  and  Mr.  Crane  being  neither  young 
in  years  nor  exhibiting  anything  like  the  faintest  de- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  135 

sire  to  make  my  acquaintance,  the  number  seems  lim 
ited.  Who  were  they  f 

Truscott  laughed  merrily,  and  looked  frankly  down 
into  the  bright  face  before  him.  "  You  are  too  analyt 
ical/'  he  said.  "I  shall  have  to  stop  and  consider 
the  weight  of  every  word  when  talking  with  you. 
You  see  I  included  Kay,  Hunter,  and  Dana  in  the  list 
with  Glenham,  because  they  all  took  a  hand  when  at 
the  post." 

"  Which  must  have  been  very  seldom,  if  at  all,  for 
Mr.  Hunter  and  Mr.  Dana  both  told  me  they  never 
got  a  chance  to  come  to  headquarters,  and  were  so  eager 
to  do  so." 

"Undoubtedly  they  are  now,"  said  Truscott;  "but 
they  looked  upon  it  as  purgatorial  before." 

"  Still  you  don't  answer  my  question,  and  you  com 
pel  me  to  riddle  your  statements.  It  finally  must  be 
reduced  to  the  melancholy  fact  that  Mr.  Glenham  was 
the  only  one  at  Sandy  who  took  an  interest  in  my 
coming.  I  am  not  exacting.  I  had  looked  for  nothing 
of  the  kind,  but  when  you  say  'all  the  young  officers/ 
and  allude  to  such  numbers  being  engrossed  in  prepa 
ration,  you  must  admit  my  right  to  disappointment- 
cither  in  them  or  my  informant  when  I  find  there 
is  only  one.  Furthermore,  you  have  not  once  had  the 
grace  to  confess  yourself  one  of  the  interested." 

"That  would  simply  have  been  presumption.  1 
alluded  to  the  young  officers." 

"  And  Mr.  Ray,  who  graduated  but  one  year  behind 
you,  and  is  said  to  be  one  year  older,  why  include  him 
and  exclude  yourself,  unless  truth  compelled  you  to 
the  admission  that  you  had  no  earthly  interest  in  the 


136  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

matter  ?  Mr.  Truscott,  you  have  taught  me  a  lesson, 
but  you  leave  me  in  no  further  doubt.  It  is  evident 
that  I  am  to  thank  Mr.  Glenham  for  all  the  training 
of  my  horse  (O  Grace,  what  a  subterfuge !),  and  that 
the  others  were  merely  accidentally  interested." 

"Miss  Pelham,  you  overwhelm  me  with  the  con 
sciousness  of  my  neglect.  Gienham  has  so  devoted 
himself  to  the  matter  that  no  eiforts  of  mine  could 
have  competed  with  his,  and  yet,  I  assure  you,  he  will 
require  no  thanks  other  than  your  pleasure  in  the  gen 
eral  result." 

Grace  Pelham  was  ready  to  stamp  her  pretty  foot  at 
this  juncture.  Anything  or  anybody  so  utterly  imper 
turbable  as  her  new  acquaintance  she  had  never  met. 
She  shrewdly  suspected  that  poor  Glenham  had  never 
so  much  as  attempted  to  mount  the  new  horse,  and  that 
it  being  Mrs.  Tanner's  skirt  that  was  employed,  Jack 
Truscott  himself  had  taken  charge  of  that  part  of  the 
lessons.  Womanlike,  she  longed  to  extract  the  admis 
sion  from  his  lips,  but  he  would  admit  nothing.  Then 
came  their  jolly  hostess,  bundle-laden,  and  then,  to  her 
dismay,  Mrs.  Wilkins  with  a  party  of  friends  from  the 
post,  in  a  vehicle  similar  to  their  own. 

Truscott  removed  his  forage-cap  in  salutation,  and 
Mrs.  Wilkins's  unmodulated  tones  straightway  filled 
the  plaza.  "  Is  it  you,  Mr.  Truscott,  and  you,  Miss 
Gracie  ?"  ("  Confound  the  woman  !"  thought  Jack, 
savagely  biting  his  moustache,  "  how  dare  she  call  her 
that?")  "Faith,  I  thought  it  was  time  you  were  get 
ting  him  out  in  the  air.  You  look  like  a  ghost ;  have 
you  any  news  from  the  boys,  pray?  It's  time  we 
were  hearing  from  them,  I'm  sure.  How  is  your 


WIN  NINO  JUS  SPURS.  137 

mother,  Miss  Pelham  ?  I'd  call  to  see  her,  but  I  never 
feel  like  talking  when  the  regiment  is  out  scouting" 
(here  Grace's  eyes  sought  Truscott's,  and  found  them 
brimming  over  with  merriment.  They  had  some 
thoughts  in  common,  then),  "  but  I'll  be  over  to-night 
or  to-morrow ;  you  and  he  won't  miss  me,  I'll  be 
bound.  Go  on,  driver.  Good-by  all !"  And  off  she 
rattled,  triumphant. 

"Jack  Truscott,"  said  their  matron,  impressively, 
"  do  you  know  what  I  would  do  with  that  woman  if 
she  were  in  my  regiment,  if  I  had  one  ?  I'd  appoint 

a  day  for  prayer  and  humiliation,  and What  are 

you  laughing  at  ?  You  know  you  detest  the  ground 
she  walks  on." 

"  Being  Arizona  soil,  there  is  no  harm  in  that,  ma- 
dame;  but  were  harm  to  come  to  Mrs.  Wilkins  the 
spice  of  life  at  Sandy  would  be  snatched  away.  To 
me  she  is  invaluable." 

Bowling  briskly  along  the  smooth,  hard  road,  they 
were  soon  again  within  the  limits  of  the  military  set 
tlement  and  in  sight  of  headquarters.  Grace  Pelham, 
baffled  in  her  effort  to  extract  from  Mr.  Truscott  some 
admission  that  he  had  been  instrumental  in  the  train 
ing  of  her  horse,  and  feeling  vaguely  that  she  had  not 
succeeded  in  penetrating  the  armor  of  reserve  with 
which  he  was  surrounded,  determined  on  a  final  sally. 

Turning  to  the  general's  wife,  she  broke  forth, — 

"  Mr.  Truscott  has  mystified  me  completely.  He 
tells  me  of  a  capital  horse  awaiting  me  at  Sandy,  and 
endeavors  to  make  me  believe  that  a  number  of  young 
officers,  as  he  calls  them,  have  had  him  in  training  for 
some  time." 

12* 


138  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

"Young,  officers,  indeed!"  burst  in  her  friend. 
"  When  I  was  there  with  the  general,  three  weeks  ago, 
the  young  officers  were  watching  Mr.  Jack  Truscott 
himself.  He  was  cavorting  round  on  that  very  bay, 
with  somebody's  old  skirt,  or  a  blanket,  almost  every 
day." 

Grace  had  won  her  point,  but  had  no  time  for  re 
marks  on  the  subject.  The  ambulance  whirled  up  to 
the  general's  quarters,  and  there  on  the  piazza  stood 
Mrs.  Pelham  with  her  hands  full  of  letters. 

"  Mail  for  everybody  but  me,"  she  remarked,  as  the 
ladies,  scoffing  at  the  idea  of  accepting  assistance  from 
a  one-armed  man,  sprang  out,  and  then  jocularly  offered 
to  assist  Mr.  Truscott.  "  Grace,  you  will  want  to  run 
and  read  yours  at  once,  I  know."  And  she  ostenta 
tiously  handed  a  little  note  to  her.  "  These,  madame, 
are  yours."  And  their  hostess  turned  away  to  peer 
into  the  envelopes  of  her  letters  and  wonder  who  could 
have  written  them.  Then  Mrs.  Pelham  turned  to 
Truscott  with  a  small  packet  of  letters,  "  And  these 
for  you.  I  know  that  handwriting  to  be  Ralph's; 
would  you  mind  opening  it  at  once  and  letting  me 
know  how  he  is?" 

The  topmost  letter  in  Truscott's  package  was  post 
marked  San  Francisco,  and  addressed  in  a  dashing, 
bold  hand.  He  recognized  it  at  once  as  coming  from 
Ralph  Pelham,  his  colonel's  second  son ;  and,  with 
Mrs.  Pelham's  eyes  eagerly  searching  his  face,  he 
slowly  opened  and  commenced  to  read.  He  had  never 
received  a  line  from  young  Pelham  before  in  his  life, 
and,  though  knowing  him  well,  was  surprised  at  the 
mere  sight  of  a  letter  from  him.  Even  as  he  opened 


WIN  NINO  HIS  SPURS.  139 

the  envelope  he  noted  the  keen  anxiety  in  Mrs.  Pel- 
ham's  face,  and  it  put  him  on  his  guard.  The  first 
line  was  enough  to  test  his  nerve,  but  he  glanced  down 
the  page,  coolly  turned  the  leaf  and  read  the  next,  then 
very  gently  and  courteously  addressed  her  ladyship : 
11  He  seems  in  capital  health,  madaine.  You  were  not 
anxious  about  it,  I  hope  ?" 

"  Who,  mother  ?"  asked  Grace,  rejoining  them  at 
this  moment  and  fearing  that  her  father  was  spoken  of. 

"  Merely  a — not  your  father,  Grace,  so  you  need  not 
worry.  He  is  perfectly  well,  as  this  letter  will  show 
you,"  replied  madame,  hurriedly. 

Grace  took  the  letter  her  mother  handed  her,  and 
with  one  glance  in  Truscott's  face,  a  look  in  which 
inquiry  was  blended  with  surprise,  turned  and  left 
them. 

"  Mr.  Truscott,"  said  Mrs.  Pelham  the  instant  they 
were  again  alone,  "  I  did  not  know  Ralph  wrote  to 
you.  He — he  has  been  somewhat  wild  at  times,  and  I 
fully  expected  a  letter  from  him  to-day,  but  the  letter 
is  to  you.  His  father  is  very  anxious  about  him,  and 
only  yesterday  wrote  me  that  he  wished  Ralph  were 
here  again  instead  of  in  San  Francisco.  The  colonel 
says  you  had  so  good  an  influence  over  him.  Mr. 
Truscott,  tell  me  if  anything  has  gone  wrong  with  my 
boy." 

And  Jack  Truscott,  looking  steadily  down  in  the 
anxious  face  before  him,  replied, — 

"Nothing  that  I  know  of,  and  nothing  shall  that  I 
can  avert.  This  letter  is  about  a  matter  of  business 
in  which  I  am  interested.  You  should  see  the  letter, 
but  it  concerns  others  besides  myself."  And  Lady 


140  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Pelham,  relieved  in  mind  yet  vaguely  feeling  that 
something  might  be  extracted  by  dexterous  cross- 
questioning,  was  compelled  to  drop  the  subject.  She 
thanked  him  somewhat  hesitatingly,  looked  as  though 
she  longed  to  ask  still  more,  but  drew  aside  and  watched 
him  as,  with  a  grave  bow,  he  entered  the  hall  and 
went  to  his  own  room. 

There  Truscott  seated  himself  by  the  window,  and 
this  time  slowly  read  the  following  letter : 

"SAN  FRANCISCO,  November  15. 

"  TEUSCOTT, — Just  what  you  warned  me  against  has 
come  to  pass.  You  made  me  promise  that  if  I  got 
into  the  scrape  I  would  write  at  once  and  let  you  know. 
God  knows  I  don't  know  another  soul  to  whom  to  turn. 
It  is  for  five  hundred  dollars  this  time,  and  I've  given 
my  note  at  thirty  days.  You  see,  they  know  my  peo 
ple,  feel  sure  of  their  money,  and  would  rather  have 
the  interest  on  it  than  the  cash.  But  they  don't  know 
what  I  know, — that  father  is  drained  dry ;  that  Grace's 
outfit  the  mother  insisted  on  her  having  and  this  tre 
mendous  pull  of  a  journey  have  strapped  him  com 
pletely.  Four  months  ago  he  wrote  me  sadly  enough 
not  to  draw  for  a  cent,  and  things  were  booming  then. 
I  had  been  doing  first-rate.  Consolidated  Virginia 
brought  me  in  eight  hundred  dollars  in  a  week.  To 
be  sure,  Best  and  Belcher  knocked  most  of  it  out  of 
me,  but  the  other  fellows  in  the  office  were  wild  over 
the  New  Nevada,  and,  Jack,  I  raised  the  money  for 
the  margins,  and  it's  gone — utterly  gone. 

"  What  am  I  to  do  ?  Why  do  you  wish  me  to  write 
you  ?  I  cannot  meet  this.  I  see  nothing  for  it  but  a 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  14] 

Dullef  or  a  bolt  to  the  mines,  where  I  can  change  my 
name  with  my  shirt  and  hire  out  as  a  day  laborer.  The 
brokers  will  show  me  up  to  the  firm  and  the  situation 
be  swept  from  under  me  instanter. 

"  If  you  mean  that  you  can  get  Glenhatn  to  let  me 
have  five  hundred  dollars  at  once  to  meet  my  note  I 
will  give  you  my  word  to  stick  to  my  desk,  to  live  en, 
retraite,  and  not  to  speculate  or  gamble  a  cent  until  it  is 
paid.  Glenham  has  two  or  three  thousand  idle  in  the 
bank  here  I  know ;  but,  my  God,  I  can't  ask  him  for 
money,  and  hardly  know  him  at  all.  But  father  must 
not  know,  and  above  all  Grace.  She  would  scorn  me 
if  she  knew  I  had  accepted  a  cent  from  him,  and  she 
is  right.  Yet  it  is  that  or  ruin,  Truscott,  and — you 
helped  me  when  I  was  in  Arizona  last  year — for  God's 
sake,  for  father's  sake,  who  trusts  you  so,  keep  my 
secret,  and  if  you  see  a  way  to  help  me,  believe  in  my 
resolution.  Wire  or  write  at  once. 

"  Yours,  RALPH  PELHAM." 

Truscott  sat  with  pale,  stern  features,  his  eyes  fixed 
on  vacancy,  the  letter  resting  on  his  knee.  He  heard 
the  voices  of  the  ladies  in  the  hall,  the  rustle  of  fem 
inine  skirts  past  his  door,  the  tinkle  of  the  luncheon- 
bell,  but  he  did  not  stir.  A  year  previous  Ralph  Pel- 
ham  had  spent  a  month  in  Arizona  with  his  father, 
had  been  thrown  frequently  into  Truscott's  society,  and 
had  soon  learned  to  look  up  to  him  in  every  way. 
Pelham  was  only  twenty-two,  full  of  spirit  and  buoyant 
with  hope,  a  handsome,  cheery,  reckless  fellow,  who 
had  all  the  attributes  of  a  mother's  darling  and  a  father's 
torment.  The  colonel  loved  his  boy,  but  shrank  from 


142  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

exercising  much  control  over  his  movements.  He  knew 
the  youngster  had  his  full  share  of  youthful  frivolity, 
had  cheerfully  paid  his  boyish  debts,  and  had  shaken 
his  head  at  some  college  extravagances;  but  Ralph  was 
the  "  brightest"  of  his  sons,  every  one  said,  and  beyond 
doubt  the  most  indulged.  A  very  good  position  had 
been  secured  for  him  in  a  business  house  in  San  Fran 
cisco,  his  salary  was  fair,  his  prospects  fairer,  and  all 
had  promised  well.  Truscott,  however,  had  heard 
from  the  boy's  own  lips  in  the  confidence  resulting 
from  an  escapade  of  the  previous  year  that  he  had,  in 
common  with  other  young  men  in  his  station  in  life,  a 
mania  for  getting  rich  in  a  hurry  and  without  the 
equivalent  of  labor.  The  fever  of  speculation  was 
raging  all  over  the  Pacific  coast.  Fortunes  were  being 
made  every  week  and  lost  every  day.  During  a  brief 
stay  there  Ralph  Pelham  had  fallen  in  with  some  ac 
quaintances  whose  haunt  was  Montgomery  Street,  had 
tried  his  luck  on  "  margins,"  and  with  ease  and  aston 
ishment  had  realized  a  few  hundred  dollars, — just 
enough  to  inspire  him  with  wild  visions  of  wealth  and 
grandeur,  and  to  send  him  on  his  way  to  visit  his  father 
with  an  unaccustomed  plethora  of  funds,  and  a  con 
comitant  inflation  of  conceit  and  business  airs  that 
vastly  entertained  the  officers  of  the  — th.  The  money 
was  soon  spent  and  lost ;  more  was  needed,  for  Truscott 
found  his  young  friend  deep  in  the  toils  of  "  draw-poker" 
on  returning  to  Sandy  from  court-martial  duty.  The 
colonel  had  just  advanced  the  boy  a  quarter's  allowance, 
and  he  dared  ask  for  no  more,  and  Truscott  insisted  on 
becoming  his  banker.  "  I  make  no  conditions  whatever, 
Pelham,"  he  said,  "  but,  don't  play  with  those  fellows, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  M3 

unless  you  really  want  to  throw  money  away."  And 
Pelham  had  played  no  more  at  Sandy,  where  the  scouts, 
the  quartermaster's  employe's,  the  traders,  and  occasion 
ally  one  or  two  of  the  officers  were  to  be  found  in  the 
nightly  game  down  at  the  store.  But  this  strengthened 
his  trust  in  Jack,  and  steadied  him  a  great  deal,  and 
before  he  left  he  manfully  told  his  father  of  the  circum 
stance,  begging  him  not  to  show  Truscott  that  he  knew 
it,  and  the  old  soldier  had  forgiven  his  young  prodigal, 
provided  him  with  money  for  his  return  to  San  Fran 
cisco,  and  Truscott  suspected  that  the  truth  was  known, 
because  of  the  fatherly  way  his  colonel  had  of  speaking 
to  him  for  some  time  after,  but  they  never  alluded  to 
the  matter. 

And  now  young  Pelham  was  in  a  far  more  serious 
difficulty.  Truscott  read  those  lines  again. 

"And  above  all  Grace.  She  would  scorn  me  if 
she  knew  I  had  accepted  a  cent  from  him,  and  she  is 
right." 

"  Then  Ralph,  too,  was  certain  there  was  an  under 
standing  or  something  like  it  between  his  sister  and 
Glenham,"  mused  Truscott,  and  again  the  worn,  tired 
look  settled  on  his  brow,  and  as  he  mused  there  came 
along  the  hall  the  quick,  light  step  he  was  growing  to 
know  so  well,  the  rustle  of  skirts  that  sent  already  a 
thrill  to  his  heart,  a  light  tap  on  his  door;  he  sprang 
up,  dashed  his  hand  across  his  forehead,  thrust  the  letter 
in  the  breast-pocket  of  his  blouse,  and  strode  to  the 
doorway.  There  stood  Grace  with  a  tiny  tray  in  her 
hands,  a  light  luncheon  and  a  cup  of  fragrant  tea 
thereon. 

"  We  thought  you  too  tired  perhaps,  or  too  busy,  to 


144  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

come  to  the  dining-room,  so  I  was  sent  with  this/7  she 
said,  smiling  brightly.  He  bent  and  took  the  tray  from 
her  hands  and  placed  it  on  the  table  in  the  room,  thank 
ing  her  as  he  did  so,  and  stepping  quickly  back  to  her 
side. 

"  I  brought  it  myself/7  she  continued,  smiling  archly 
and  mischievously,  "  in  partial  payment  of  a  kindness 
and  attention  you  would  not  confess.  It  was  you  who 
trained  my  horse,  sir,  and  you  strove  to  conceal  the 
fact.  Mr.  Truscott,  I  don't  know  how  to  thank  you." 

The  frank,  glorious  eyes  were  gazing  up  into  his ; 
the  sweet,  mobile  features,  all  smiles  and  sunshine, 
were  turned  towards  him,  her  soft  white  hand  toying 
with  the  fringe  of  the  Indian  tobacco-pouch  that  hung 
on  the  door-post.  It  was  long  since  Truscott  had 
looked  upon  a  vision  half  so  fair,  and,  despite  himself, 
look  he  did  earnestly,  seeing  which  her  eyes  fell,  a 
quick  flush  rose  to  her  white  forehead,  she  turned  to 
go,  but  he  recovered  himself. 

"  Don't  attempt  to  thank  me/7  he  said.  "  Ride  with 
me  once  or  twice  when  we  get  to  Sandy,  and  I  will  be 
more  than  repaid.77 

"  Ride  with  you  !  Indeed  I  will — gladly.77  And 
with  that  she  was  gone. 

Truscott  stood  gazing  after  her  as  she  disappeared 
through  the  parlor  doorway.  There  she  had  glanced 
quickly  back :  their  eyes  had  met,  she  smiled  brightly, 
but  never  stopped.  For  a  full  minute  he  stood  there, 
then  with  a  half-stifled  sigh  rising  to  his  lips  he  turned 
to  re-enter  the  room,  when  a  white  object  on  the  floor 
at  his  feet  caught  his  eye.  He  bent,  picked  it  up,  and 
bore  it  to  the  light.  It  was  a  dainty  handkerchief, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  14ft 

and  in  one  corner  was  embroidered  the  simple  name 
"Grace." 

With  bowed  head  he  stood  a  few  moments  holding 
it  in  his  hand,  thinking  intently,  his  eyes  fixed  upon 
the  name.  Then  he  took  Ralph's  letter  from  his 
pocket,  read  it  once  again,  and  softly  repeated  to  him 
self  the  closing  words,  "  For  God's  sake,  for  father's 
sake,  whd  trusts  you  so,  keep  my  secret,  and  if  you  see 
a  way  to  help  me,  believe  in  my  resolution." 

"  For  God's  sake,  for  father's  sake.  Yes,"  he  whis 
pered,  "for  Grace's  sake  I'll  help  you,  and  then — and 
then — may  God  help  me." 

And  when  Ralph  Pelham's  letter  was  replaced  in  the 
breast-pocket  of  Truscott's  uniform  his  sister's  handker 
chief  lay  between  it  and  the  wearer's  heart. 


M6  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 


CHAPTER  IX. 

*  SHE  is  no  more  engaged  to  him  than  I  am,  Jack 
Truscott,  and  you  may  take  my  word  for  it.  More 
than  that,  it  is  my  belief  she  has  no  interest  in  him 
whatever, — never  has  had,  and  that  all  the  talk  of  this 
match  is  due  to  Lady  Pelhain's  manoeuvring.  The 
wish  is  mother  to  the  thought." 

So  spoke  the  general's  wife  the  evening  of  the  drive, 
and  Truscott  listened  with  outward  calm,  but  with 
emotions  far  from  placid.  He  had  not  seen  Grace  since 
their  brief  conversation,  and,  the  ladies  being  out  at 
tea,  had  spent  several  lonely  hours.  During  the  after 
noon,  however,  he  had  visited  the  telegraph -office,  and 
a  despatch  worded  as  follows  was  already  in  the  hands 
of  his  anxious  correspondent  in  San  Francisco  : 

"  RALPH  PELHAM,  Occidental  Hotel,  San  Francisco  • 
"  Eely  on  Glenham.     All  fixed.     Letter  by  mail. 

"  TRUSCOTT." 

Now  considering  the  fact  that  Glenham  was  mileh 
away  in  the  mountains,  with  no  possibility  of  commu 
nication,  it  may  be  considered  a  piece  of  assumption 
on  Truscott's  part  to  make  such  positive  use  of  his 
name.  Truscott,  however,  though  well  knowing  that 
his  friend  would  be  prompt  to  respond  to  any  call  he 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  147 

might  make  upon  him,  had  no  intention  of  putting 
him  to  the  test. 

Some  two  years  previous,  after  an  extended  consul 
tation  with  some  business  friends  in  San  Francisco, 
Truscott  had  placed  his  savings  in  the  hands  of  a  firm, 
one  of  whom  he  knew  well  and  trusted.  His  wants 
were  few  in  Arizona,  his  habits  methodical,  and  from 
time  to  time  he  had  added  from  his  pay  to  the  original 
amount.  These  were  matters  of  which  he  never  spoke 
to  anybody,  but  the  investment  had  proved  moderately 
remunerative.  The  growing  business  of  the  firm  led 
to  further  enterprises,  and  Jack's  money,  with  his  en 
tire  consent,  had  been  devoted  with  other  funds  in 
their  hands  to  the  purchase  of  a  mining  claim  in  Ne 
vada,  which  gave  promise  of  a  profitable  yield  when 
properly  developed.  Already  the  firm  had  sent  three 
successive  offers  to  Truscott  to  purchase  his  stock  at  a 
tempting  "  rise,"  but  he  had  no  need  for  money  at  the 
moment  and  decided  that  he  preferred  to  hold  on.  The 
promise  of  the  investment  was  quite  as  good  as  any 
other  in  which  he  could  embark.  Glenham  for  a  while 
had  placed  ten  times  as  much  money  in  the  hands  of 
the  same  firm,  but  had  declined  to  invest  in  the  very 
purchase  in  which  Truscott  was  interested.  "  I  don't 
know  enough  about  mining  ventures  to  risk  it,"  he 
said  to  Truscott,  showing  him  the  prospectus  and  the 
familiar  letter-head  of  the  firm.  "  What  do  you  think 
of  it,  Jack?" 

"  If  you  have  money  you  don't  know  what  to  do 
with,  it  might  be  put  there  as  well  as  anywhere,  but 
you  know  I  never  advise  any  one  in  a  matter  of  this 
kind." 


148  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"  Well,  what  would  you  do  yourself?"  persisted 
Glenham. 

"  I  never  had  so  much  money  at  my  disposal,  but  it 
seems  to  me  that  it  is  poor  policy  to  take  it  from  a  safe 
though  slow  investment  to  put  it  where  you  may  lose 
the  whole  lump  in  no  time.7' 

Glenham  inferred  that  Truscott  had  no  confidence  in 
the  new  scheme,  never  dreamed  that  he  had  invested 
his  all  therein  ("  Why  tell  him  ?"  thought  Jack,  "  he 
will  then  be  sure  to  go  in  full  tilt,  and  if  we  are 
swamped  hold  me  accountable"),  and  had  concluded  to 
try  elsewhere ;  but  the  firm  held,  as  Pelham  had  stated, 
a  few  thousand  dollars  of  his  money,  and  within  a 
week  from  the  receipt  of  Truscott's  despatch  young 
Ralph  was  relieved  in  mind  by  the  arrival  of  a  letter 
which,  with  one  other,  Truscott  had  written  that  very 
afternoon.  It  ran  somewhat  as  follows : 

"  DEAR  PELHAM, — On  presentation  of  yourself  and 
this  note  at  Rundell,  Stearns  &  Co.  you  will  find  five 
hundred  dollars  at  your  disposal.  You  know  Stearns, 
I  think :  simply  give  him  a  receipt  for  the  cash  as 
voucher. 

"  Glenham  is  off  on  a  hurried  dash  after  Apaches, 
but  the  matter  was  easily  arranged.  I  think  it  would 
be  just  as  well  not  to  write  him  any  thanks,  but  to  stick 
close  to  your  work  and  resolution,  and  don't  worry 
over  the  matter.  Preaching  is  abhorrent  to  me,  and 
experience,  though  expensive,  a  far  better  teacher. 

"  Your  letter  reached  me  by  the  hand  of  Mrs.  Pel- 
ham  herself,  and  excited  her  anxiety.  I  assured  her 
you  were  well  and  in  no  trouble,  as  she  imagined. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  149 

(Mental  trouble  was  not  allowed  to  count.)  May  I 
suggest  that  frequent  letters  to  her  or  to  Miss  Pelham 
would  be  the  easiest  way  of  dispelling  their  anxiety 
and  averting  the  possibility  of  cross-questioning  me  ? 
No  one  should  know  of  this  transaction,  and  I  can 
assure  you  that  Glenham,  who  is  a  noble  fellow,  will 
not  breathe  it  to  a  soul.  My  reasons  for  suggesting 
that  you  say  nothing  further  to  him  are  cogent,  but  too 
many  for  explanation  here.  Be  guided  by  me,  how 
ever,  I  will  make  all  due  acknowledgments. 

"  Were  I  to  attempt  to  tell  you  of  the  sensation  cre 
ated  by  the  arrival  of  Miss  Pelham  this  letter  would 
require  extra  postage,  and  I  regard  letters  of  that 
length  as  an  imposition  on  friendship.  The  colonel  is 
at  Sandy.  I  am  on  escort  duty  with  the  ladies,  and 
expect  to  join  him  next  week.  Yours  sincerely, 

"  JOHN  G.  TRUSCOTT." 

This  letter,  as  was  stated,  was  posted  with  another 
addressed  to  his  business  friend  in  the  city : 

"FORT  WHIPPLE,  A.  T.,  November  23,  18 — . 

"  DEAR  STEARNS, — Mr.  Ealph  Pelham  will  call  upon 
you  in  person  for  five  hundred  dollars,  which  please 
pay  him  and  charge  to  my  account.  If  necessary,  dis 
pose  of  sufficient  stock  to  cover  it.  Your  voucher  will 
be  his  receipt. 

"  I  have  reasons  for  preferring  that  he  should  regard 
this  as  coming  from  Mr.  Glenham  (who  would  not  have 
to  sell),  and  desire  you  to  consider  the  affair  as  strictly 
confidential.  Very  truly  ycurs, 

"JoHNG.  TRUSCOTT." 
13* 


150  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Late  that  night  the  ladies  had  returned  from  a  quiet 
tea-party  at  Captain  Lee's,  Grace  and  her  hostess  en 
thusiastic  over  the  lovely,  winning  ways  of  Mrs.  Tanner, 
Lady  Pelham,  to  their  perplexity,  maintaining  on  that 
subject  an  attitude  of  austere,  even  mysterious  non- 
committalism  (for  which  word  the  writer  desires  to 
apologize).  Grace  had  been  speedily  summoned  aloft 
by  her  mother,  so  that  when  Jack  entered  the  parlor 
only  his  hostess  was  there. 

"  You  ought  to  have  been  with  us,"  she  said.  "  Grace 
Pelham  sang,  and  sang  sweetly.  See  here,  Jack  Trus- 
cott,  you  need  not  be  so  sublimely  indifferent  to  that 
young  lady.  I  don't  like  it.  I  warrant  you  never  saw 
many  sweeter  or  brighter  girls." 

"  I  never  saw  any,"  replied  he,  briefly. 

"  Then  why  do  you  stand  aloof,  Fd  like  to  know  ? 
One  would  suppose  you  had  no  appreciation  of  what 
was  attractive  in  woman." 

"  My  dear  lady,  is  there  not  such  a  thing  as  having 
too  much  ?  What  sense  is  there  in  losing  one's  head 
over  a  girl  already  bespoken  ?" 

And  then  it  was  that  his  friend  gave  utterance  to  the 
words  at  the  head  of  this  chapter. 

Overhead  he  could  hear  voices  in  colloquy ;  one,  un 
mistakably  that  of  her  ladyship,  was  so  loud  and  em 
phatic  that  an  occasional  word  could  be  distinguished ; 
the  other,  subdued  and  gentle,  was  indistinguishable. 
Evidently,  too,  the  conversation  was  not  placid.  Mrs. 
Pelham's  somewhat  ponderous  tread  made  the  lightly- 
ouilt  army-ceiling  quiver  and  crackle  as  she  paced 
rapidly  to  and  fro. 

"  What  in  the  world  is  she  storming  about  to-night  ?" 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  151 

said  the  lady.  "I  shall  confide  to  you,  Jack,  that  your 
colonel's  wife  strikes  me  as  being  a  tartar." 

A  door  overhead  opened,  closed,  tones  again  became 
muffled,  and  Jack  Truscott  and  his  hostess  sat  staring 
in  blank  amazement  in  each  other's  face,  for  in  the 
brief  instant  in  which  the  chamber-door  had  been  ajar 
her  ladyship's  voice,  angry  and  unguarded,  was  dis 
tinctly  audible  to  both, — to  all  in  the  house  in  fact. 

"  — and  Mrs.  Tanner  is  not  a  fit  person  for  a  daugh 
ter  of  mine  to "  And  here,  in  the  language  of  the 

Congressional  reporter,  the  hammer  fell;  to  be  literal, 
her  ladyship  banged  the  door. 

For  a  minute  the  occupants  of  the  parlor  were 
aghast.  Then  Truscott  calmly  stepped  to  the  hall-door 
and  closed  it. 

"  She  may  open  the  ports  and  fire  another  volley,"  he 
said,  "  and  I  don't  care  to  hear  her,  even  by  accident." 

"Well!"  said  his  companion.  "Listeners  never 
hear  any  good  of  themselves ;  but  I  never  expected  to 
live  to  hear  evil  of  Mrs.  Tanner.  She  is  my  ideal  of 
a  perfect  wife  and  mother.  What  do  you  think  ?" 

"  My  acquaintance  is  not  extensive,"  he  replied,  de 
liberately  ;  "  but  in  the  army  or  out  of  it  I  know  of 
no  one  truer,  purer,  or  nobler.  Now,  if  you  will  ex 
cuse  me,  I  am  going  to  bed.  Good-night." 

The  next  morning  Grace  did  not  appear  at  break 
fast.  u  Had  a  headache,"  said  her  mother  in  response 
to  inquiries.  Soon  afterwards,  as  Truscott  started  forth 
for  a  stroll  with  the  doctor,  she  inquired  if  he  intended 
going  to  the  office,  and  requested  him  to  post  a  letter. 

"  Do  you  happen  to  know  where  Mrs.  Tread  well  is 
stationed  now,  Mr.  Truscott  ?"  she  asked. 


152  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"  At  Fort  Hays,  I  think.  Colonel  Treadwell  was 
in  command  there  last  month." 

"  Then  this  address  is  right/'  she  remarked,  handing 
him  the  letter  and  narrowly  watching  his  features. 

He  glanced  at  the  superscription,  bowed  in  acquies 
cence,  and  turned  away. 

As  a  specimen  of  feminine  ingenuity  that  letter  de 
serves  to  take  rank.  This  is  a  chapter  of  letters  thus 
far.  Here  is  her  ladyship's : 

"  MY  DEAR  MRS.  TREADWELL, — Though  we  have 
not  met  for  years,  I  hold  in  warm  remembrance  the 
days  when  we  were  stationed  together  at  Sedgwick,  and 
the  kindly  relations  which  then  existed"  (which  was 
more  than  the  recipient  of  the  letter  could  do,  for  she 
could  not  bear  Mrs.  Pelham).  "  I  write  in  haste,  and 
know  well  that  you  will  be  surprised  at  my  writing  at 
all ;  but  duty  as  a  mother  compels  me  to  appeal  to  you 
for  information  on  a  very  delicate  subject,  and  I  trust 
you  can  relieve  my  mind.  You  may  not  have  heard 
that  Grace  and  I  have  recently  '  joined7  the  — th  here 
in  Arizona,  and  naturally  I  am  most  anxious  that  she 
should  be  well  guided  in  the  selection  of  her  friends 
and  associates. 

"  Among  the  ladies  who  at  first  made  a  most  favor 
able  impression  was  Mrs.  Tanner,  whom,  I  am  told, 
you  knew  well  at  Camp  Phoenix.  She  seemed  every 
thing  that  was  desirable,  but  I  regret  to  have  to  say 
that  circumstances  have  occurred  which  seriously  affect 
my  opinion  of  her,  and  among  other  stories  which  late 
events  have  revived  is  one  that  you  at  Camp  Phoenix 
found  her  and  Mr.  Truscott  alone  in  her  parlor  during 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  153 

Captain  Tanner's  absence  in  the  field,  and  saw  them  in 
a  most  indelicate  and  questionable  a — well,  I  cannot 
write  what  was  told  me  (in  the  strictest  confidence) ; 
but  knowing  you  as  I  do,  a  woman  who  never  was 
known  to  say  an  unkind  or  a  slanderous  thing,  it  im 
pressed  me  most  painfully  and  powerfully  to  be  told 
by  ladies  whom  I  believe  in  that  you  had  positively 
made  this  statement.  If  it  be  true,  I  beg  you  to  tell 
me  exactly  the  truth  ;  for  Grace's  sake  I  must  know. 

"  The  colonel,  Captain  Tanner,  and  all  the  officers 
are  in  the  field  except  Mr.  Truscott,  who  is  here,  and  she 
also.  You  know  he  is  still  adjutant  of  the  regiment, 
and  Colonel  Pelham  must  be  in  utter  ignorance  of  this 
affair  or  he  would  not  regard  him  as  he  does.  Pray  do 
not  ask  me  for  any  particulars.  Simply  tell  me  what 
you  know,  and  please  consider  this  letter  as  inviolably 
confidential.  I  have  no  heart  to  write  any  news,  for 
this  wretched  affair  fills  me  with  anxiety. 
"  Your  attached  friend, 

"  D.  DE  KUYTEK  PELHAM." 

And  this  was  the  letter  Jack  Truscott  carried  over 
to  the  office  and  dropped  in  the  mail-box  this  bright 
November  morning.  A  fortnight  more  and  it  was  in 
Mrs.  Tread  well's  hands,  and  a  constrained  and  reluctant 
answer  was  despatched  to  Arizona ;  but  long  before  that 
reply  could  reach  Mrs.  Pelham  at  Sandy  it  was  possible 
for  the  very  complications  to  occur  which  she  most 
ardently  desired  to  frustrate.  That  very  night  there 
came  a  despatch  from  Colonel  Pelham  pronouncing  the 
road  safe  and  practicable,  and  the  next  morning  Trus 
cott  was  convoying  the  ladies  of  Camp  Sandy,  now 


154  THE   COLONEL' S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

reinforced  by  Mrs.  and  Miss  Pelham,  down  to  the 
valley  wherein  lay  their  frontier  home.  Three  large 
ambulances  carried  the  party,  a  small  guard  of  soldiers 
went  along  for  appearance's  sake,  and  without  event  of 
material  importance  the  journey  was  safely  effected, 
and  Grace  Pelham  made  her  debut  at  Camp  Sandy, 
little  dreaming  of  the  months  of  mingled  happiness 
and  serene  content,  of  doubt  and  utter  misery,  that  lay 
before  her. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  155 


CHAPTER   X. 

WITHOUT  event  of  material  importance,  it  has  been 
said,  the  journey  from  Prescott  to  Sandy  was  effected. 
Yet  the  journey  was  not  devoid  of  interest. 

For  two  or  three  days  previous  Mr.  Truscott  had 
seen  little  or  nothing  of  Grace  Pel  ham.  He  had  been 
stunned  by  the  angry  words  that  both  he  and  the 
general's  wife  had  overheard  when  Lady  Pel  ham's 
door  was  opened  for  that  one  brief  instant,  he  had 
pondered  over  them  that  night  after  going  to  bed,  and 
the  more  he  thought  the  more  his  blood  boiled  within 
him  at  the  idea  of  this  coarse,  imperious  woman  daring 
to  speak  so  shamefully  of  his  gentle  little  friend. 
Next  morning  Grace  did  not  appear  at  all,  as  we  have 
seen,  and  it  was  all  Truscott  could  to  do  to  behave  with 
common  civility  to  her  ladyship.  As  for  their  hostess, 
it  must  be  confessed  that  she  absolutely  snubbed  Mrs. 
Pelham  on  two  or  three  occasions,  kept  out  of  her  way 
as  much  as  possible,  and  when  the  time  for  starting 
came  she  kissed  Miss  Pelham  warmly  and  affection 
ately,  begged  her  to  come  up  and  spend  the  Christmas 
holidays  with  her,  but  not  a  word  of  invitation  did 
Bhe  extend  to  her  mother.  "  Good-by,  Mrs.  Pelham, 
I  trust  you  have  enjoyed  your  visit,"  was  all  she 
vouchsafed  her  ladyship,  and  that  lady  readily  com- 


156  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR. 

prehended  that  she  had  offended  her  hostess,  and,  true 
to  nature,  hated  her  accordingly. 

Only  in  company  had  Truscott  met  Miss  Pelham 
since  that  night  until  the  morning  of  their  start.  Then 
he  suddenly  encountered  her  alone,  he  returning  from 
a  visit  to  the  corral  to  inspect  the  condition  of  the 
ambulances  that  were  to  convey  the  party  to  Sandy, 
she  from  the  infantry  quarters  on  the  other  side  of  the 
garrison,  whither  she  had  been  to  say  good-by  to  a 
baby  pet  of  hers,  the  daughter  of  one  of  the  officers 
here  stationed. 

Truscott  greeted  her  cordially  and  complimented  her 
upon  such  very  early  rising.  Her  reply  was  a  nervous 
and  embarrassed  platitude,  and  she  hurried  along  with 
bent  head  and  downcast  eyes  up  the  very  path  which 
she  and  Glenham  had  taken  the  night  of  the  "  Pelham 
Ball."  All  her  old  frank,  bright  manner  had  disap 
peared  :  she  would  not  even  look  at  him.  Stung  to 
the  quick  by  her  evident  wish  to  avoid  him,  he 
presently  raised  his  forage-cap,  and  turning  at  a  side- 
path,  said, — 

"  Pardon  my  not  escorting  you  home,  Miss  Pelham ; 
there  are  some  matters  I  must  arrange  before  we  can 
start." 

Then  for  an  instant  her  eyes  met  his,  she  faltered 
when  she  marked  the  pain  and  surprise  in  his  face. 
Sh«  almost  held  out  her  hand  to  him,  but  as  though 
suddenly  recollecting  herself,  simply  bowel,  said  in  a 
low  tone  something  that  sounded  like  ''Good-b — • 

morning,  Mr. "  and  scurried  away  up  the  path 

like  a  frightened  fawn.  With  a  sadder  brow  than  we 
have  yet  seen  in  Truscott  he  turned  aside,  and  by  9 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  157 

circuitous  route  regained  the  house,  where  he  found 
them  all  at  an  early  breakfast. 

Half  an  hour  afterwards  and  they  were  off.  Mrs. 
and  Miss  Pelham  and  her  ladyship's  homesick  maid 
occupying  one  ambulance,  Mesdames  Turner,  Ray 
mond,  and  Wilkins  another,  while  Mrs.  Tanner  with 
Rosalie  and  one  of  the  young  ladies  from  Sandy  were 
bestowed  in  a  third, — Captain  Tanner's  own  ;  for  Tan 
ner  was  a  man  of  substance,  and  had  money  enough  to 
buy  out  the  rest  of  the  regiment,  Glenham  perhaps  ex- 
cepted.  A  fourth  ambulance  contained  a  small  guard 
of  infantry-men,  while  two  or  three  troopers,  left  be 
hind  in  the  rush  for  the  Apaches,  the  mail  messenger, 
and  two  scouts,  who  had  come  in  with  despatches,  ac 
companied  the  party  as  escort. 

Amid  the  fluttering  of  handkerchiefs  and  cheery  au 
revoirs  the  party  rattled  off,  cracking  whips  and  whis 
tling  drivers  sending  the  lively  little  mule-teams  along 
at  a  spanking  gait.  Truscott  paused  one  moment  to 
hold  out  both  hands  to  his  kind  hostess  and  with  some 
thing  of  a  tremor  in  his  voice  to  say  farewell.  She 
looked  up  in  his  face  and  seized  the  outstretched  hands, 
— "  Jack,  don't  you  worry.  It'll  come  out  all  right  yet, 
and  I  know  it"  He  turned  quickly,  mounted  his 
horse,  and,  with  a  wave  of  the  hand,  cantered  off  down 
the  slope  after  his  convoy. 

The  journey  to  the  Agua  Fria  was  accomplished 
without  incident.  It  was  a  dismal  party  that  rode  in 
her  ladyship's  vehicle.  She  was  in  execrable  humor 
herself,  ready  to  snap  at  anybody.  As  a  consequence 
Grace  sat  silently  and  wistfully  gazing  out  on  the  pine- 
covered  heights  the  maid  was  in  tears  most  of  the  way, 

14 


158  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

and  Lady  Pelham,  echoing  the  sniffling  from  the  front 
seat,  sniffed  at  her  smelling-salts,  and  finally  inquired 
for  the  sherry-flask.  Twice  or  thrice  at  difficult  parts 
of  the  road  Grace  saw  Truscott,  seated  on  his  horse, 
cautioning  the  driver  of  each  ambulance  as  in  turn 
they  came  to  the  spot,  but  ordinarily  he  was  well  to 
the  front,  and  only  at  sharp  curves  of  the  road  could 
she  catch  sight  of  him,  the  guard  ambulance  being  just 
in  front  of  them.  Then  she  looked  with  all  her  eyes, 
for  well  as  he  looked  at  all  times  it  was  in  the  saddle 
Jack  Truscott  was  at  his  best.  She  worshipped  fine 
horsemanship,  and  never  had  she  seen  anything  to 
equal  the  grace  and  ease  of  Truscott's.  Half  angry  at 
herself,  she  yet  could  not  withstand  the  fascination  that 
kept  her  gaze  fixed  upon  him  at  every  opportunity. 

Before  the  sun  reached  the  meridian  Truscott  con 
ducted  his  train  into  the  court  of  Olson's  ranch,  and 
politely  notified  her  ladyship  that  here  they  would  rest 
an  hour  and  then  push  on.  The  ladies  were  assisted 
from  the  ambulances,  and  were  welcomed  with  much 
red-faced  embarrassment  by  Mrs.  Olson,  who  showed 
them  into  her  best  rooms.  The  ladies  of  the  — th  she 
knew  well.  They  had  often  stopped  with  her,  but  the 
stony  grandeur  with  which  her  ladyship  glared  around 
the  bare  walls  and  rude  furniture,  sniffing  at  every 
thing,  overawed  and  upset  her  completely.  None  the 
less  did  she  hasten  to  sacrifice  her  pet  chickens  and 
produce  the  freshest  eggs,  in  order  that  the  ladies  who 
were  so  grand  in  her  eyes  might  be  regaled  with  the 
best  her  larder  could  command. 

Something  like  twenty  minutes  had  the  ladies  been 
resting  and  chatting  among  themselves  when  Truscott 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  159 

came  striding  up  from  the  corrals,  whither  he  had  been 
to  superintend  the  refreshment  of  his  horses  and  mules. 
Seeing  him  approach,  Mrs.  Tanner  quietly  laid  her 
sleeping  Rosalie  upon  the  bed,  rose  and  went  out  to 
meet  him.  Two  or  three  of  the  ladies  exchanged 
glances,  then  looked  at  Mrs.  Pelham.  Taking  Trus- 
cott's  arm,  Mrs.  Tanner  walked  with  him  slowly 
through  the  ranch-yard,  past  the  corrals,  and,  with  the 
eyes  of  every  woman  in  the  party  except  Grace's  upon 
them,  they  strolled  up  the  bank  of  the  stream,  and 
were  soon  out  of  sight  from  the  windows. 

"  Come  with  me  a  moment,"  said  Mrs.  Pelham,  ab 
ruptly,  to  her  daughter,  who  rose  without  a  word  and 
followed  her  mother  out  into  the  court  and  around  the 
corner.  The  elder  lady  silently  pointed  up  the  stream, 
and  Grace,  looking,  beheld  Mrs.  Tanner  leaning  on 
Truscott's  arm,  and  both  of  them,  some  three  hun 
dred  yards  away,  were  walking  farther.  Another  mo 
ment  and  they  disappeared  from  sight  around  a  little 
knoll. 

Then  Lady  Pelham  slowly  turned,  and  impressively 
the  words  fell  from  her  lips,  "  Grace,  what  did  I  tell 
you?" 

When,  half  an  hour  later,  Jack  Truscott  extended 
his  hand  to  assist  Miss  Pelham  to  her  seat  in  the  am 
bulance,  as  he  had  been  assisting  the  others,  she  passed  it, 
without  notice,  seized  the  door  frames  with  both  hands, 
and  with  the  agile  spring  of  the  mountain  deer  popped 
up  into  her  place.  Truscott  calmly  closed  and  fastened 
the  door,  nodded  to  the  driver,  and  away  went  the 
Pelham  equipage. 

The  sun  was  setting  behind  the  great  range  to  the 


160  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

west,  and  the  ambulances  had  halted  for  a  moment  at 
a  point  where  the  road  wound  around  a  precipitous 
ledge,  when  Truscott  rode  up  to  the  door  of  the  Pel- 
ham  equipage,  and,  pointing  far  down  in  the  valley 
below  and  some  miles  to  the  south,  quietly  remarked, 
"  Mrs.  Pelham,  there  is  Camp  Sandy,"  then  rode  on 
to  the  head  of  column.  Eagerly  gazing,  Grace  could 
eee  rows  of  what  looked  like  toy-houses  painted  a  dis 
mal  brown,  but  Mrs.  Pelham  was  cross  and  tired,  and 
the  sherry  had  been  a  little  too  strong  or  too  frequent, 
or  both,  she  did  not  care  to  look.  An  hour  more  and 
Grace  was  in  her  father's  arms,  while  her  gracious 
mother  was  turning  up  her  nose  at  the  parlor  furni 
ture.  Soon  afterwards,  Grace,  delightedly  examining 
her  own  dainty  little  room,  heard  her  father's  voice 
hailing  from  the  piazza  below, — 

"  Truscott !  oh,  Truscott !  that  you  ?" 

A  voice  from  the  darkness  out  on  the  parade  re 
plied, — 

"  Yes,  colonel." 

And  Grace  stood  still — yes — to  listen. 

"  Been  to  dinner  or  supper  yet  ?" 

"  Not  yet,  sir ;  I've  had  several  things  to  attend  to." 

"  Then  come  and  take  high  tea  with  us." 

"  I  would  with  pleasure,  sir,  but — I've  promised  Mrs. 
Tanner." 

A  tap  at  Grace's  door,  and  her  ladyship  swept  in. 

"  You  heard  that,  I  suppose.  How  much  confirma 
tion  do  you  require,  may  I  ask  ?" 

And  all  that  evening  Grace  Pelham  was  feverishly 
gay. 

The  general,  it  seems,  had  gone  out  into  the  Mogollon 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  161 

after  the  troops ;  he  had  spent  a  day  at  the  agency  with 
Tanner,  and  then,  on  his  renowned  saddle-mule,  had 
struck  eastward  for  the  trail  leading  to  the  Colorado 
Chiquito.      Every  hour  the  renegades  were  sneaking 
back  into  their  limits,  and  the  next  day  were  begging 
around  camp  as  persistently  as  ever  and  with  that  child 
like  expression  of  innocence  and  utter  lack  of  guile  in 
which  the  Apache  excels.     In  the  brief  conversation 
Colonel  Pel  ham  had  enjoyed  with  Truscott  after  tea, 
when  the  latter  had  betaken  himself  to  the  office  and 
was  working  away  by  candle-light,  the  adjutant  learned 
that  the  entire  command  was  on  its  way  back,  having 
had  only  one  or  two   unimportant  brushes  with  the 
Indians,  who  had  scattered  all  over  the  Territory  on 
finding  themselves  pursued  by  so  large  a  force.     Then 
the  colonel  went  back  to  his  quarters  to  enjoy  the  un 
accustomed  luxury  of  the  society  of  his  wife  and  daugh 
ter  ;  but  Truscott  remained  at  his  desk  "  straightening 
out"  the  regimental  papers  until  long  after  midnight. 
Grace  Pelham,  going  to  her  room  after  a  long,  loving 
talk  with  her  father,  had  thrown  open  her  window  and 
stood  there  gazing  out  into  the  starlit  night.      Way 
across  the  dark  parade  she  saw  towards  her  right  the 
dim  lights  of  the  guard-house.     She  knew  it  to  be 
such,  because,  even  as  she  gazed,  there  came  from  that 
point  the  prolonged  call  of  the  sentry,  "  Nu-mber  One. 
Ha-lf  pa-st  twelve  o'clock."     Then  way  beyond,  over 
towards  the  corrals,  a  shrill  Hibernian  tenor  responded 
for  Number  Two,  and  added,  "  A-a-ll's  w-ell !"  and  so 
the  watch-call  went  the  rounds,  echoing  back  from  the 
foot-hills  until  it  again  reached  the  guard-house.    Grace 
thought  it  lovely.     But  what  was  that  brilliant  light 
I  14* 


162  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

off  to  her  left  ?  She  could  make  out  the  outlines  of  a 
low  one-story  building  that  seemed  to  stand  by  itself, 
and  from  two  windows  broad  beams  of  light  streamed 
forth  and  illuminated  the  parade.  Hearing  her  father's 
step  on  the  stairway,  she  called  him  in.  "I'm  so  in 
terested  in  it  all,  father;  the  sentries  have  just  been 
calling  off.  Now  that's  the  guard-house  over  there ; 
but  what  is  this  bright  light  here  to  the  left  ?" 

The  colonel  peered  over  her  shoulder.  "  That !  It's 
the  adjutant's  office,  and  that  confounded  Jack  Trus- 
cott  is  sitting  up  there  at  work  when,  with  his  shoulder, 
he  ought  to  have  been  in  bed  long  ago.  By  Jove,  I'l . 
go  and  send  him  !" 

Then  he  turned,  took  her  in  his  arms,  and  looked 
proudly,  fondly,  down  into  the  sweet  upraised  face. 

"  I  wonder  if  you  dream,  my  little  girl,  what  a  joy 
it  is  to  your  old  father  to  have  you  here  ?  God  bless 
and  guard  you,  my  child  !"  With  that  he  kissed  ten 
derly  her  white  forehead,  and  the  next  minute  she 
heard  him  tramping  across  the  parade  to  the  office. 
She  was  about  to  close  her  blind,  when  the  sound  of 
hoof-beats  and  voices  coming  into  the  garrison  from 
the  north  attracted  her  attention.  At  rapid  lope  the 
riders  came,  and  in  a  moment  flashed  into  view  in  the 
lights  from  the  adjutant's  office.  Then  came  her 
father's  cheery  voice, — 

"Why,  Ray,  is  that  you?  You,  too,  Glenham? 
Welcome  back,  boys !" 

Then  she  heard  Truscott's  deep  baritone  and  Ray's 
and  Glenham's  mingled  greetings,  and  the  "  old  fel 
lows"  and  hearty  slaps  on  back  and  shoulder  with  which 
the  comrades  of  the  frontier  are  wont  to  welcome  one 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  163 

another ;  and  then  she  did  close  her  blind,  and  for  a 
while  sat  there  in  the  darkness  thinking,  thinking. 

Two  days  more  and  the  entire  command  was  once 
more  in  garrison.  Hough,  stubbly  beards  were  shaven 
off,  ragged  hair  trimmed  to  soldier  style,  scouting-rigs 
were  stowed  away,  and  on  the  following  Sunday  morn 
ing  six  fine  troops  of  the  — th  formed  line,  mounted 
and  in  full  dress,  for  inspection.  The  band,  too,  had 
returned  from  a  visit  to  the  southern  posts  of  the  Ter 
ritory,  and  for  three  days  the  rank  and  file  had  been 
cleaning,  polishing,  and  scrubbing  generally,  for  "  Old 
Catnip"  was  a  stickler  for  drill,  discipline,  and  neatness 
in  every  particular. 

Much  of  the  time  the  officers  had  been  occupied  su 
perintending  the  overhauling  of  the  barracks  and  stables, 
but  such  hours  as  Captain  Canker  would  allow  him 
Arthur  Glenham  had  spent  at  Grace's  side.  Was  it 
hope  that  fathered  the  thought,  he  wondered,  or  was  she 
really  more  gracious,  more  encouraging  in  her  manner 
towards  him  ?  Mrs.  Pelham  was  everything  that  was 
delightful  to  him,  inviting  him  there  to  tea,  affording 
him  frequent  opportunity  for  uninterrupted  interviews 
with  Grace,  and  eagerly  inquiring  how  soon  Ranger 
would  be  ready  for  the  promised  rides.  Tanner,  too, 
had  come  in  with  his  troop,  and  Ranger  had  been  duly 
inspected  and  delightedly  praised  by  Grace,  but  the 
captain  preferred  that  she  should  not  ride  until  after 
the  general  inspection.  Of  Truscott  the  ladies  at  Col 
onel  Pelham's  saw  nothing  except  at  a  distance.  He 
spent  all  his  time  at  the  office,  and  in  going  thither  or 
returning  to  his  quarters  kept  way  out  in  the  middle  of 
the  parade,  for  he  lived  at  the  extreme  northern  end  of 


164  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

officers'  row,  and  the  colonel's  house  was  at  the  other 
end.  Officers  old  and  young  and  all  the  ladies  had 
called  to  welcome  the  Pel  hams  to  Sandy,  but  just  as 
at  Prescott,  when  Ray,  Hunter  and  other  ineligibles 
attempted  to  converse  to  any  length  with  Grace,  the 
"  confounded  old  tabby"  would  swoop  down  upon  them 
and  monopolize  the  talk  herself. 

Oh,  how  superb  the  sight  was  to  Grace  when,  early 
Sunday  morning,  the  whole  command  appeared  in  full 
uniform,  the  martial-looking  helmets  with  their  long 
horse-hair  plumes,  the  bright  colors  of  the  stripes  and 
facings,  the  blue  and  gold  and  glittering  sabres  of  the 
officers,  and  the  handsome  equipments  of  their  steeds ! 
She  stood  on  the  piazza,  watching  it  all, — officer  after 
officer  mounting  in  front  of  his  quarters  and  trotting 
off  to  join  his  troop.  (Of  course,  Glenham  came  down 
the  line  to  exhibit  himself  and  his  beautiful  horse  to 
her  before  joining  his  captain.)  Then  the  four  stately 
non-commissioned  officers,  the  guard  of  the  standard, 
each  with  his  war  chevrons  and  his  bronze  medal  for 
bravery,  rode  up  in  line  and  received  their  charge  from 
her  father's  hands.  Then  came  the  stirring  adjutant's 
call,  and  the  thrilling  burst  of  martial  music  from  the 
band,  and  troop  after  troop  rode  steadily  into  line ;  and 
then  from  the  right  there  came  at  full  gallop  a  stalwart 
form  she  had  grown  to  recognize  instantly  in  any  dress. 
The  horsemanship  was  unmistakable,  and  still  at  full 
gallop  on  his  powerful  black  charger  he  darted  out  to 
\he  front  until  midway  to  where  the  colonel  sat  on  old 
"  Rappahannock,"  when  with  sudden  halt  and  wheel 
he  reined  about,  and  at  the  deep,  ringing  baritone,  that 
resounded  along  the  line,  the  sabres  flashed  in  air,  and, 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  1G5 

again  wheeling,  his  own  sabre  rose  and  was  lowered  in 
graceful  salute.  Grace  Pelhara  gazed  with  all  her  eyes, 
eagerly  interested  in  everything,  but  then  the  ladies 
who  had  seen  that  sort  of  thing  a  hundred  times 
gathered  around  her,  and  she  saw  no  more  of  the  cere 
mony  that  so  delighted  her. 

Disappointed  as  she  was  at  the  interruption  of  her 
view  of  the  inspection,  Grace  found  it  hard  work  to 
be  cordial  and  courteous  to  her  visitors.  Ordinarily 
on  such  occasions  the  ladies  swarmed  about  Captain 
Turner's  quarters,  which,  being  opposite  the  centre  of 
the  line  when  formed,  aiforded  the  best  point  of  obser 
vation.  Mrs.  Turner  with  great  self-complacency  used 
to  attribute  this  gathering  to  her  powers  of  entertain 
ment  and  conversation,  and  talked  and  chattered  like  a 
magpie ;  but  on  this  particular  Sunday,  seeing  Grace 
alone  on  the  piazza  of  the  commanding  officer's  house, 
the  meeting  adjourned  and  proceeded  en  masse  to  en 
tertain  her  with  garrison  platitudes,  Mrs.  Wilkins  being 
by  no  means  the  least  voluble.  As  a  consequence,  when 
the  jovial  colonel  rode  up  to  the  piazza  after  the  dis 
missal  of  the  command,  his  face  all  aglow  with  the  un 
accustomed  exercise,  and  called  out  in  his  cheery  way, 
"  Well,  daughter,  what  do  you  think  of  the  — th  ?" 
she  replied,  with  an  air  of  serio-comic  disappointment, 
"  I  could  see  nothing  of  them,  father,  except  (sotto  voce) 
the  ladies." 

"  Confound  those  women  !"  growled  the  colonel.  "I 
might  have  known  they  would  spoil  the  whole  thing, 
and  I  particularly  wanted  you  to  see  the  regiment. 
Your  mother  isn't  visible  yet,  I  suppose.  She  never 
did  care  for  anything  connected  with  my  profession 


166  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

except  the  pay  accounts/'  he  added  to  himself,  with  a 
weary  sigh.  Then  he  and  Grace  went  in  to  breakfast. 

Late  that  afternoon  two  grimy- looking,  shaggy- 
bearded  men,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Truscott,  appeared 
at  the  colonel's  door,  and  were  promptly  ushered  into 
the  parlor,  where  Lady  Pelham  was  yawning  over  a 
novel  (for  which  the  writer  of  this  gives  her  full  abso 
lution)  and  her  husband  was  snoozing  on  the  lounge 
with  a  handkerchief  over  his  face.  In  response  to 
Truscott's  courteous  bow,  her  ladyship  rose  from  her 
chair,  stared  for  an  instant  at  the  uncouth-looking 
bipeds  who  stood  uneasily  at  the  door,  then,  with  an 
indignant  "  Well,  I  declare !"  and  without  noticing 
Truscott  in  the  least,  she  swept  majestically  into  the 
adjoining  room,  slamming  the  door  behind  her. 

The  colonel  woke  with  a  start,  and  for  an  instant 
gazed  stupidly  at  his  visitors. 

"What's  up,  Truscott?"  he  asked. 

"  Fanshawe  and  Craig  have  come  in  to  report,  sir ; 
they  bring  important  news,"  replied  the  adjutant. 

"  Fanshawe,  hey  !  Craig,  too !  Good !  Sit  down, 
boys.  What  news  do  you  bring  ?" 

The  taller  of  the  two  cleared  his  throat,  while  the 
other,  "  his  pardner,"  slowly  twisted  his  old  slouch  hat 
in  his  hands  and  looked  to  his  senior  to  do  the  talking. 
Wiping  his  face  with  a  faded  red  bandanna,  then  stow 
ing  it  away  in  the  breast  of  his  buckskin  hunting-shirt, 
Fanshawe,  with  a  voice  like  a  cracked  bassoon,  began. 

"  We've  treed  'em,  colonel.  There's  three  big  ranch - 
erias  out  yet.  We  follered  'em  down  from  nigh  Chev- 
lon's  butte  into  the  Tonto  basin.  There's  two  on  'em 
there  somewhere,  close  in  under  the  Black  Mesa,  nigh 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  167 

the  head  oj  the  creek.  The  other  band  cut  loose  and 
seemed  to  go  over  to  the  Chiquito.  Craig  and  I  wanted 
to  go  in  farther  and  find  just  where  they  were,  but  old 
Kwonahelka  and  Charley, — Washington  Charley,  you 
know,  colonel;  Arahawa  's  his  'Patchie  name, — they 
dasn't  resk  it;  so  we  come  back.  If  the  gin'ral  will 
send  out  a  couple  of  troops  now,  with  fifteen  days7 
rations  and  'Patchie-Mohave  scouts,  I  reckon  he  can 
gobble  the  Tonto  basin  crowd,  and  it'll  only  take  a 
small  detachment  to  corral  the  outfit  that  slid  out  over 
towards  the  Chiquito ;  there  can't  be  inore'n  forty  bucks 
among  'em." 

"  Where  are  Kwonahelka  and  Charley  ?"  asked  the 
colonel,  after  a  moment's  thought. 

"  Right  outside,  sir/'  said  Fanshawe.  "  We  didn't 
like  to  bring  'em  in." 

The  colonel  nodded  to  Truscott,  who  quickly  stepped 
into  the  hall  and  signed  to  the  two  Apache  Indians 
squatting  on  the  piazza.  They  silently  rose  and  en 
tered  the  house. 

An  exclamation  of  "Goodness!"  caused  Truscott  to 
glance  to  the  head  of  the  stairs.  There  stood  Grace, 
her  eyes  opened  in  wonderment.  "  What  strange  crea 
tures  are  those,  Mr.  Truscott  ?"  she  asked. 

"  Apache  scouts,  Miss  Pelham." 

"  Oh,  may  I  come  down  and  see  them  ?" 

"  Most  assuredly,"  he  answered. 

So  down  she  came,  pausing  irresolutely  at  the  door 
until  her  father,  catching  sight  of  her,  called  out, 
"Come  in,  come  in,  Grace.  You've  never  seen  our 
Apaches.  Gentlemen,"  he  continued,  turning  to  Fan- 
ehawe  and  partner,  "  this  is  my  daughter,  just  arrived 


168  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

in  Arizona."  Whereat  Fanshawe  and  partner  arose  in 
bewilderment  and  awkwardness  and  bobbed  their  heads, 
and  grew  redder  under  the  bronze  which  desert  suns 
and  winds  had  painted  on  their  faces. 

Grace  bowed  and  smiled  a  pleasant  welcome,  not 
knowing  what  to  call  them,  and  being  quite  uncertain 
as  to  whether  she  ought  to  shake  hands  or  not. 

"This  will  all  interest  Grace,"  said  her  father,  at 
once.  "  Truscott,  you  explain  the  situation  to  her. 
Now  I  want  to  question  these  aborigines." 

And  so,  despite  herself,  Grace  was  thrown  into  con 
fidential  relations  with  the  man  she  had  been  trying  to 
avoid,  and  yet — and  yet — whom  she  had  caught  her 
self  watching  from  her  window,  or  gazing  over  at  the 
midnight  lights  in  his  office,  a  dozen  times  in  the  last 
four  days. 

She  colored,  then  turned  and  became  absorbed  in  con 
templation  of  the  Indians,  strange  objects  indeed  to  her. 
Their  swarthy  features,  glittering,  bead-like  eyes ;  their 
coarse,  matted  black  hair,  for  all  the  world  like  a  Shet 
land  pony's  mane  and  forelock,  falling  in  masses  like 
an  immense  "  bang"  over  their  foreheads  and  down  to 
the  eyes  in  front,  hanging  in  tangled  clumps  to  the  neck 
behind  ;  their  slender  but  sinewy  legs  and  arms ;  their 
rude  dress, — not  an  ornament  or  a  patch  of  paint,  things 
she  supposed  inseparable  from  the  red  warriors,  no 
gracefully-draped  blanket,  no  eagle's-feather  war-bon 
net,  none  of  the  accessories  she  had  supposed  were 
always  to  be  seen  with  the  Indians.  But  here  were  two 
noted  men  of  their  tribes, — Kwonahelka,  a  chief  of  the 
Apache-Mohaves ;  Arahdwa,  sub-chief  and  interpreter 
of  the  Apache- Yumas, — and  dirty  white  cotton  turbans, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  169 

shirts,  and  breech-clouts,  with  substantial  moccasins, 
constituted  their  costume. 

Arah&wa  had  once  been  taken  to  Washington, — 
hence  his  nickname, — and  having  been  kept  some  time 
at  San  Francisco,  had  picked  up  a  little  English,  not 
unlike  the  "  pidgin-English"  of  the  Chinese.  It  was 
"  Charley"  whom  the  colonel  was  now  questioning. 

"  But  what  I  want  to  know  is,  whose  bands  are  these 
down  in  the  basin  ?"  said  he,  impatiently. 

"  Mebbe  so  Deltchay ;  mebbe  so  'Skiminzin ;  no  can 
tell,"  replied  Charley,  volubly. 

"  Ask  Kwonahelka ;  he  knows,"  said  Fanshawe.  So 
Charley  and  his  associate  held  a  brief  confab,  in  which 
much  gesticulation  was  used  on  both  sides.  Finally 
Charley  turned. 

"Kwonahelka  he  say  'Skeltetsee  by  Mogeyone. 
'Skeltetsee  got  plenty  Tonto." 

And  so  the  strange  colloquy  went  on,  and  Grace,  her 
curiosity  getting  the  better  of  her  reserve,  finally  turned 
to  the  silent  soldier  by  her  side  and  inquired,  "  What 
does  it  all  mean,  Mr.  Truscott  ?" 

"  Briefly  this,"  he  replied,  still  keeping  his  eyes  fixed 
on  Charley.  "There  are  still  some  hostile  Apaches 
scattered  over  the  country  to  the  east  of  us,  and  these 
scouts  were  sent  to  discover  their  lair  if  possible.  They 
have  succeeded  in  tracing  three  of  the  bands,  and  have 
come  in  to  report." 

"  And  what  will  be  done  now  ?"  she  anxiously  in 
quired. 

"  Their  report  will  be  telegraphed  to  the  general  at 
Prescott,and  then,  probably,  scouting-par ties  will  be  sent 
from  here  to  hunt  them  to  their  holes  and  fight  it  out" 
n  15 


170  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Grace  s  face  paled  visibly.  She  was  about  to  speak, 
when  Glenham  entered  the  room,  and,  barely  glancing 
at  the  others,  addressed  himself  to  her, — 

"  Everything  is  ready  now,  Miss  Gracie.  Tanner  has 
given  me  Ranger.  Will  you  ride  with  me  to-morrow?7' 

And  as  she  answered,  "Gladly,  Mr.  Glenham,"  a 
close  observer  could  have  seen  a  contraction  of  the 
brows  and  a  twitch  of  the  muscles  about  Jack  Trus- 
cott's  stern,  set  mouth,  but  his  eyes  were  fixed  upon  his 
colonel's  face. 

A  moment  more  and  that  gentleman  rose.  "Well, 
that  settles  it,"  he  said.  "  Come  to  the  office,  Truscott, 
and  bring  them  along."  And  so  Grace  and  Glenham 
were  left  alone. 

That  evening  the  colonel  sent  his  orderly  with  his 
compliments  to  Captain  Canker,  and  the  information 
that  he,  Canker,  should  command  at  dress-parade.  And 
taking  Grace's  arm  in  his  as  the  adjutant's  call  sounded, 
and  the  companies  came  marching  out  to  the  line  dis 
mounted,  he  strode  up  beyond  Turner's  quarters,  grimly 
declining  the  dozen  invitations  to  "  come  and  sit  down 
on  our  piazza,"  and  led  his  daughter  out  beyond  the 
chattering  groups  to  a  point  in  the  parade  whence  she 
could  witness  the  ceremony  undisturbed.  She  gazed 
with  pride  and  delight  at  the  long  solid  line,  the 
six  companies  standing  at  parade-rest  as  the  band — a 
glorious  band  the  old  — th  had  in  those  days — "  trooped" 
down  the  front  and  back  to  its  place  on  the  right. 
Then  came  the  stirring  "  retreat"  upon  the  trumpets, 
the  roar  of  the  evening  gun,  the  fluttering  folds  of  the 
great  garrison  flag  to  the  ground  as  though  its  halliards 
were  shot  away ;  and  then  from  the  distant  flank  the 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  171 

same  deep,  glorious  voice  rang  along  the  line,  and  the 
tall,  soldierly  form  came  stalking  out  to  the  front. 
She  could  not  take  her  eyes  off  him,  but  watched  his 
every  movement, — quick,  agile,  yet  erect  and  stately. 
She  marked  the  vehement  contrast  between  his  rich 
voice  and  Canker's  reedy  twang  as  the  latter  put  the 
battalion  through  the  manual ;  but  when  the  officers 
closed  on  the  centre,  and  some  sixteen  of  them  came 
marching  to  the  front  to  the  stirring  music  of  "jEn 
Avant"  and  as  one  man  saluted  the  commanding  officer, 
she  could  not  but  see  that  in  stature,  carriage,  grace, 
and  dignity  there  was  not  his  peer  among  them. 

"Grace,"  said  her  father  suddenly,  "I've  got  the 
finest  adjutant  in  the  United  States  array,  and  he  is  as 
noble  a  man  as  he  is  a  soldier."  She  looked  up  in  sur 
prise,  for  his  voice  trembled,  and  tears  had  started  to 
his  eyes.  He  had  received  a  letter  that  day  from  Ralph 
and  had  not  shown  it  to  them,  but  he  struck  his  cane 
sharply  upon  the  stony  ground,  tossed  his  head,  and 
was  all  joviality  when,  as  though  with  one  accord,  the 
officers  came  crowding  around  Grace  to  welcome  her  to 
her  first  parade.  All  but  one ;  Truscott  went  straight 
to  his  quarters. 


172  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 


CHAPTER   XL 

SOON  after  guard-mounting  on  the  following  morn 
ing,  Arthur  Glenham,  faultlessly  attired,  cantered  down 
officers7  row  to  Colonel  Pelham's  quarters,  dismounted 
and  gave  his  horse  to  the  orderly.  Almost  at  the  same 
moment  Captain  Tanner's  pigmy  trumpeter  appeared 
with  Ranger,  and  it  needed  but  half  a  glance  to  detect 
the  fact  that  in  that  precious  pair,  boy  and  horse,  the 
devil  of  mischief  was  abnormally  developed.  "  Kid," 
as  the  boy  was  called  by  the  entire  command,  had  a 
rollicking  Irish  eye  that  twinkled  with  fun.  Ranger 
was  similarly  provided  with  organs  of  sight  that  rolled 
restlessly  about  in  their  sockets,  while  his  nervous  Jegs 
and  pawing  hoofs,  his  incessantly  tossing  head,  gave 
conclusive  evidence  that  he  was  ripe  for  any  devilment 
that  chance  might  afford  him.  The  Kid  rolled  off  the 
bare  back  of  his  pet  and  saluted  Glenham,  with  a  half- 
suppressed  grin  on  his  freckled  "  mug."  I  crave  par 
don  for  the  slang,  but  "  face"  could  never  apply  to  the 
broad,  flattened  mouth,  the  turned-up,  utterly  Hibernian 
nose,  and  the  shock-headed  appearance  generally  of  the 
worst  young  scamp  in  the  — th.  His  colonel,  his  cap 
tain,  and  the  adjutant  were  the  only  men  in  the  garrison 
to  whom  the  Kid  looked  up  with  anything  like  awe,  or 
even  with  great  respect,  and  as  he  rolled  his  quid  of 
tobacco  over  with  his  tongue  and  "  stood  to  horse"  as 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  173 

he  grinningly  saluted  Mr.  Glenham,  he  presented  small 
show  of  that  deference  expected  from  the  rank  and  file 
towards  a  superior;  perhaps  he  was  thinking  of  the 
many  five-  and  ten-dollar  bills  with  which  the  lieu 
tenant  had  accommodated  him,  and  what  an  ass  the 
lieutenant  must  be  if  he  ever  expected  to  get  them  back. 

Grace  had  accepted  the  invitation  to  ride  about  five 
o'clock  on  the  previous  afternoon.  Before  tattoo,  con 
sequently,  every  lady  along  the  row  was  duly  informed 
of  the  fact,  and  as  a  matter  of  course  all  household 
duties  were  suspended  as  the  horses  came  up,  in  order 
that  the  ladies  aforesaid  might  see  the  mount  and  start. 
Even  Mrs.  Tanner  was  taking  the  air  on  her  piazza, 
which  was  only  two  doors  away  from  the  colonel's,  and 
Mesdames  Raymond,  Turner,  and  Wilkins  had  gathered 
around  Mrs.  Canker,  who  lived  next  door,  and  who 
was  not  ordinarily  one  of  the  society  circle  at  the  post, 
— a  retiring  disposition,  an  absolute  indifference  to  any 
thing  or  anybody  except  her  husband  and  children,  and 
rather  plain,  homely  ways,  rendering  her  "Well, — 
rather  uninteresting,  you  know,"  as  Mrs.  Turner  put 
it.  A  knot  of  officers  had  gathered  some  distance 
farther  away. 

Presently  Grace  appeared  upon  the  colonel's  piazza, 
and  all  eyes  far  and  near  were  fixed  upon  her.  "  Heav 
ens  and  earth  !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Wilkins,  "  a  chimney 
pot  hat  in  Arizona !" 

In  Arizona  or  out  of  it,  'twould  be  hard  to  find  a 
lovelier  picture  than  was  Grace  Pelharn  that  morning. 
The  short,  jaunty  silk  hat  with  its  mite  of  a  veil,  the 
stylish,  perfectly-fitting  New  York  habit,  the  dainty 
gauntlets,  all  combining  to  make  a  costume  that  set  off 


174  THE  COLONELS  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

her  exquisite  face  and  slender  form  to  admirable  ad 
vantage.  After  her  came  a  servant  carrying  her  Eng 
lish  saddle  and  bridle,  which  had  arrived  but  a  day  or 
two  before.  And  now  came  the  onerous  task  of  equip 
ping  Kanger.  Grace  could  not  bear  the  looks  of  the 
heavy,  clumsy  cavalry  bit  and  bridle,  and  had  decided 
to  use  her  own  from  the  start. 

"  Please  have  this  put  on  him  first,  Mr.  Glenham," 
she  said.  And  obedient  to  her  wish  he  took  the  dainty 
tan-colored  bridle  with  its  burnished  steel  bit  and 
chains  and  signalled  to  the  Kid  to  slip  off  Ranger's  un 
couth-looking  head-gear,  and  then  proceeded  himself 
to  replace  it  with  the  other.  It  is  one  thing  to  slip  off 
a  bridle,  another  to  put  one  on.  Kanger,  accustomed 
only  to  the  dingy  regulation  deformity,  snorted  suspi 
ciously  at  the  brilliant  and  novel-looking  affair  that 
Mr.  Glenham  was  cautiously  raising  towards  him ;  he 
eyed  it  askance,  and  then,  notwithstanding  the  firm 
hold  of  the  young  officer's  broad  hand  upon  his  fore 
lock,  Ranger  threw  up  his  head.  This  brought  Glen 
ham  on  tiptoe,  increasing  his  difficulties  and  vexation. 

"  Come  here,  trumpeter,"  he  called,  "  and  hold  his 
head  down  while  I  get  the  bridle  on." 

The  Kid  darted  forward  with  unusual  alacrity,  and 
simultaneously  Ranger  started  and  commenced  to  back, 
dragging  Glenham  with  him.  The  more  rapidly  the 
Kid  approached  the  more  did  Ranger  recede.  The 
Kid  made  a  spring  as  though  to  catch  him,  Ranger 
made  a  corresponding  jump,  shook  free  his  head,  then, 
with  a  most  hilarious  leap  into  mid-air,  he  let  drive  his 
heels  at  some  imaginary  foe,  and,  with  a  snort  of  ma 
licious  delight,  dashed  off  around  the  parade,  leaving 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  175 

Glenham  puffing,  blowing,  and  discomfited,  and  the  Kid 
grinning  in  malignant  enjoyment  of  the  catastrophe. 

Poor  Glenham  !  He  ran  back  to  the  piazza,  dropped 
the  bridle  at  Grace's  feet,  and  saying,  "  Please  don't  be 
impatient;  I'll  have  him  back  in  a  minute/'  clam 
bered  into  his  saddle,  and,  striking  both  spurs  into  his 
horse,  went  sputtering  off  in  pursuit. 

The  neighboring  ladies  instantly  came  to  condole 
with  Grace;  the  group  of  officers  remained  as  they 
were,  and,  after  the  manner  of  their  kind,  indulging 
in  hearty  and  pitiless  laughter  at  poor  Glenham's  dis 
comfiture,  except  Ray.  Ray  came  running  down  to 
the  party,  now  gathered  on  the  colonel's  piazza,  and 
laughingly  raising  his  cap  to  Grace,  exclaimed,  "  Never 
mind,  Miss  Pelham,  we'll  soon  have  him  back,"  then 
he  turned  on  the  Kid,  who,  with  his  hands  in  his  pock 
ets,  was  bending  nearly  double  in  the  contortions  he 
resorted  to  to  keep  him  from  roaring  with  laughter. 
But  the  look  in  the  lieutenant's  eye  straightened  him 
up  in  an  instant.  Out  went  the  quid ;  out  came  the 
hands ;  together  came  the  heels  with  a  snap,  and  with 
a  half-scared  and  demure  countenance  the  Kid  "  stood 
attention." 

Ray  stepped  close  to  the  youngster,  and  in  a  low, 
savage  tone  spoke  quickly,  "You  young  whelp,  you 
know  perfectly  well  you  drove  that  horse  loose.  Go  at 
once  to  my  sergeant,  tell  him  to  send  two  men  out  after 
Ranger,  and  you  bring  me  my  horse  bareback  quick  as 
a  flash.  Off  with  you  now !" 

And  the  Kid,  well  knowing  Mr.  Ray's  energetic  way 
of  dealing  with  his  own  black  sheep,  darted  off  full 
speed. 


176  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Meantime,  Mr.  Truscott  was  in  his  quarters  at  the 
other  end  of  the  row,  changing  from  the  full-dress  uni 
form  he  wore  at  guard-mounting  to  the  "  undress"  of 
the  day.  He  was  never  known  to  whistle  in  his  life, 
but  he  had  a  way  of  singing  softly  to  himself  as  he 
dressed,  sometimes  as  he  wrote  or  worked,  but  of  late 
no  song  had  escaped  his  lips.  To  Glenham  his  manner 
had  been  more  gentle  and  brotherly  than  ever,  but 
there  was  none  of  the  old  familiar  talk  between  them. 
Glenham  spent  his  evenings  at  the  colonel's,  came  home 
late,  and  found  Jack  in  bed  and,  to  all  appearances, 
asleep,  while  during  the  day  the  latter  was  always  at 
the  office. 

Very  sad  and  pale  looked  Mr.  Truscott  as  he  slipped 
into  his  sack-coat ;  then  the  rush  of  hoofs  burst  upon 
his  ear,  and  with  a  face  suddenly  blanched  he  sprang  to 
the  door.  A  sigh  of  relief,  a  fervent  "  Thank  God  !" 
escaped  him  as  he  caught  sight  of  Ranger,  unencum 
bered  with  either  saddle  or  bridle,  tearing  out  of  tho 
north  gate,  while  Glenham  came  lumbering  after. 

"That  d — d  young  Paddy  scared  him  off!"  he 
almost  sobbed  to  Jack  as  he  thundered  by.  Quickly 
mounting  his  own  great  charger,  who  was  pulling  ex 
citedly  away  from  the  orderly,  Truscott  soon  overtook 
Glenham  down  on  the  flats  below.  Ranger  still  far 
ahead  and  making  for  the  foot-hills,  where  the  herds 
were  grazed  during  the  day. 

"He'll  go  right  up  that  broad  cooley,  Glenham. 
You  take  this  one  to  the  left.  I'll  chase  and  drive  him 
over  towards  you,  then  head  him  in  towards  the  post, 
and  we'll  nab  him  at  the  stables." 

With  that  he  was  off:  his  fresh,  magnificent  horse 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  177 

sweeping  way  out  to  the  right  beyond  Ranger's  trail, 
and  Glenham,  implicitly  obeying  Jack's  directions, 
plunged  into  the  mouth  of  the  narrow  valley  or  ravine 
before  him,  and  still  urging  his  steed  to  his  best  eiforts, 
was  soon  separated  by  the  ridge  to  his  right  from  all 
sight  of  the  chase. 

By  this  time  Ranger,  finding  himself  no  longer 
closely  pursued  as  he  was  in  the  garrison,  condescended 
to  hold  up  for  a  minute  and  look  back  on  his  trail. 
The  horse  and  rider  with  whom  he  had  been  delight 
edly  playing  fast  and  loose  for  some  five  minutes  had 
disappeared  entirely,  and  that  big  black  horse  he  had 
been  so  accustomed  to  following  on  battalion  drill  and 
the  tall  rider  at  whose  voice  he  daily  wheeled  into  col 
umn  without  waiting  for  pressure  of  leg  or  rein  from 
his  own  little  rascal  of  a  rider, — why,  they  were  riding 
away  from  him !  And  in  genuine  equine  surprise  and 
disappointment  he  gazed  after  them.  It  was  more  than 
he  could  stand,  and  in  another  moment,  with  a  piteous 
neigh,  he  galloped  off  in  pursuit.  This  being  pre 
cisely  what  Truscott  expected,  he  slackened  his  pace 
and  reigned  slightly  to  the  left ;  next  he  dove  into  a 
little  ravine,  and  here  dismounting  and  drawing  the 
reins  over  his  horse's  head,  he  calmly  lay  down  on  the 
turf,  and  his  steed  went  to  cropping  the  scant  herbage. 
A  minute  more  and  Ranger,  with  another  eager  neigh, 
reached  the  bank,  and  catching  sight  of  his  comrades, 
stopped  short,  then  gingerly  trotted  down  close  to  them, 
as  though  to  inquire  what  the  mischief  they  meant  by 
trying  to  avoid  him  in  that  unfriendly  way.  Then,  as 
neither  Truscott  nor  his  horse  took  the  faintest  notice 
of  him,  he  lounged  up  alongside  his  brother  quadruped 


X78  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

tnd,  sniffing  for  a  moment  at  his  nostrils,  set  his  ears 
'jack  and  aimed  a  vicious  little  snap  at  his  nose.  With 
his  back  to  the  pair,  Truscott  slowly  and  indifferently 
arose,  and,  drawing  in  his  rein,  raised  the  black's  head 
and  brought  him  close  to  his  right  side,  quietly  patting 
his  head  and  neck.  Ranger  followed  as  before,  bent 
his  head  to  sniff  again  at  the  nostrils  of  the  black,  and 
found  his  forelock  held  in  the  iron  grasp  of  the  half- 
concealed  biped,  who  had  reached  quietly  over  the 
black's  neck  and  nabbed  him. 

Then  Truscott  mounted,  and,  firmly  holding  his  prize 
on  the  off  side,  rode  slowly  back  towards  the  garrison. 
One  of  Ray's  men  with  a  lariat  met  him  half-way  in. 
Truscott  knotted  the  rope  carefully  about  Ranger's  neck, 
sent  the  man  up  the  ravine  to  recall  Glenham,  and  con 
tinued  on  his  way  until  close  in  under  the  plateau. 
There  he  stopped  and  waited  for  his  friend.  He  could 
have  saved  time,  and  a  good  deal  of  it,  had  he  galloped 
in,  leading  Ranger  by  the  lariat,  but  he  waited.  Glen- 
ham  came  bumping  along  presently,  all  gratitude  and 
perspiration.  Truscott  handed  him  the  rope,  saying, 
"  Hold  him  firmly,  old  boy."  Glenham  rode  up  the 
hill  and,  amid  the  applause  of  the  ladies,  into  the  gar 
rison  with  his  prize.  Truscott  rode  under  cover  of  the 
hill  to  the  rear  of  his  quarters,  and  there  dismounted. 

Nearly  half  an  hour  had  been  lost.  Glenham  was 
nervous  and  full  of  vexation.  Grace  too  was  a  trifle 
annoyed  by  the  half-patronizing,  half-sympathetic  re 
marks  of  the  swarm  of  ladies,  but  their  occasional 
criticisms  of  Glenham's  awkwardness  aroused  her  sym 
pathy  for  him,  and  made  her  unusually  gentle,  almost 
tender,  in  her  manner  to  him.  The  deft  hands  of  Mr. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  179 

Ray  speedily  adjusted  saddle  and  bridle,  and  he  oblig 
ingly  stood  at  Ranger's  head  while  Glenham  bunglingly 
assisted  Grace  to  mount.  With  any  skilful  hand  she 
could  fly  up  like  a  bird.  Then,  without  further  delay, 
they  turned  and  started  up  the  row,  Grace  patting 
Ranger's  neck  and  endeavoring  to  make  friends. 

But  that  ingenuous  quadruped  had  not  half  had  his 
spree  out,  and  was  ripe  for  more.  The  first  thing  he 
discovered  was  that  instead  of  a  huge  bar  of  crooked 
iron  in  his  mouth  he  was  champing  a  slender  rod  of  pol 
ished  steel.  No  clumsy  curb-strap  chafed  his  jaw,  and 
the  light  hand  on  the  rein  had  not  yet  made  him  ac 
quainted  with  the  glittering  chain  that  hung  there, 
ready  to  do  as  good,  even  better,  service  than  the  strap. 
Then  there  was  no  pressure  of  muscular  legs  on  both 
sides;  that  struck  him  as  something  utterly  out  of  the 
usual  line.  Revolving  these  things  in  his  mind,  he 
concluded  it  worth  while  to  experiment  with  this  un 
known  rider.  They  were  close  to  the  end  of  the  row, 
and  here,  right  in  front  of  the  doctor's  quarters,  next 
to  Truscott's,  stood  a  group  of  six  -or  seven  officers.  Six 
or  seven  caps  were  simultaneously  raised,  and  that  was 
all  the  excuse  Ranger  wanted.  Stopping  short,  he 
strove  to  whirl  about,  but  Grace's  practised  hand  kept 
him  faced  to  the  front.  Failing  in  that  effort,  he  com 
menced  to  back,  and  a  sharp  cut  of  the  whip  was  his 
reward.  Stung  by  the  blow,  he  sprang  into  air  arid 
came  down  "  stiff-legged,"  but  with  no  effect  upon  the 
seat  or  temper  of  his  fair  rider.  Then  he  backed  again, 
and  received  another  lash.  Enraged  at  a  punishment 
he  neither  understood  nor  had  ever  known,  he  shook 
his  head,  backed  again,  and  would  almost  have  gone 


180  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTTR;    OR, 

upon  his  haunches,  when  suddenly  a  firm  hand 
laid  on  the  rein,  and  Grace,  flushed,  vexed,  and  well- 
nigh  defeated,  looked  down  into  the  calm  features  of 
Mr.  Truscott. 

"  Pardon  me,  Miss  Pelham,"  he  said.  "  I  think  I 
have  just  what  you  need  here.  Ranger  doesn't  know 
a  whip,  but  he  does  understand  the  meaning  of  the 
spur." 

With  that  he  produced  from  the  inner  pocket  of  his 
blouse  a  pair  of  little  silver  spurs.  "These  look  like 
toys,"  he  continued,  "  and  I  bought  them  as  such,  but 
they  are  really  very  effective,  as  you  will  find.  Stand  at 
his  head,  orderly.  Permit  me,  Miss  Pelham."  And 
stepping  to  her  side  he  raised  the  skirt  of  her  riding- 
habit,  quickly  and  deftly  adjusted  one  spur  to  her 
slender  boot,  then  hung  the  other  on  the  off-side  of 
her  pommel.  "  The  straps  are  old  and  weak,  and  may 
break,  so  you  had  better  have  both,"  he  explained,  then 
was  about  to  step  back,  when  speech  returned  to  her. 

"  Oh,  thank  you,  Mr.  Truscott,  ever  so  much  !  Now 
I  know  I  can  manage  him.  This  is  very  thoughtful  of 
you,  and  Fll  return  them  to-night." 

"  Don't  think  of  it,"  he  answered ;  "  you  will  need 
them  on  many  a  ride,  and  besides,  I  know  you  will  win 
them." 

"  Then  take  my  whip,"  she  impulsively  cried,  and 
tossing  the  slender  toy  with  its  wrist-loop  of  dark  blue 
ribbon  to  him,  she  gathered  her  horse,  the  orderly 
stepped  aside,  her  barbed  heel  drove  firmly  into  Ran 
ger's  flank,  and,  obedient  to  the  sting  he  knew,  he 
sprang  forward,  and  in  an  instant  bore  his  fearless 
rider,  guided  by  her  firm  hands,  through  the  nortt 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  181 

gate,  around  the  long  curve  of  the  road  and  down  the 
slope  until  even  hat  and  veil  disappeared  from  view 
below  the  edge  of  the  plateau.  An  instant  after,  Glen- 
ham  likewise  shot  out  of  sight,  his  forage-cap  popping 
up  twice  before  its  final  occultation. 

Truscott's  face  wore  a  very  anxious  look  as  he  slowly 
returned  to  his  quarters,  closed  his  bedroom  door  be 
hind  him,  and,  stepping  to  the  window,  lingeringly 
examined  the  pretty  toy  she  had  thrown  to  him.  It 
was  of  English  make,  slender  and  delicate,  but  of  the 
very  best  material  and  workmanship,  fit  accompani 
ment  to  the  perfect  saddle  and  bridle  his  appreciative 
eye  had  marked  as  he  adjusted  her  spur.  The  silver- 
mounted  handle  bore  a  simple  inscription,  "  Grace,  from 
Father."  He  gazed  longingly  at  the  name,  thinking, 
he  could  not  help  it,  of  the  many  times  her  soft,  slender 
hand  had  closed  upon  it;  then  suddenly  turning,  he 
stepped  to  the  wardrobe,  paused  one  instant  to  press 
the  handle  to  his  lips,  hung  it  by  its  loop  way  back 
in  the  dark  recess,  and  abruptly  hurried  from  the 
room. 

On  the  piazza  stood  Ray,  with  clouded  brow,  gazing 
through  a  binocular  up  the  distant  road.  Hearing 
Truscott's  step,  he  turned. 

"  See  anything  of  them  ?"  asked  Truscott,  shortly. 

"  Not  at  this  moment.  They're  behind  that  belt  of 
cotton  wood,  going  like  blazes.  There  they  are  now !" 
he  added,  suddenly.  "  I  hope  to  God  that  Glenham 
will  have  sense  enough  to  make  her  stick  to  the  road. 
The  horses  can't  stand  the  pace  much  longer  in  that 
heavy  sand." 

Truscott  took  the  glass  and  looked.     "  All  right  so 

16 


182  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

far,"  he  said,  after  a  pause,  still  keeping  the  glass  at 
his  eye. 

"Truscott,  what  do  you  think  of  that  bit?"  asked 
Ray,  abruptly.  "  She  rides  better  than  any  woman  I 
ever  knew ;  but  if  that  blackguard  of  a  horse  should 
bolt — you  see  I  never  thought  of  her  riding  him  with 
anything  but  the  cavalry  curb." 

"Nor  I,"  said  Truscott.  "The  bit  is  all  right; 
unless — you  remember  the  trick  he  used  to  have  of 
catching  the  branch  in  his  teeth  ?" 

"  By  heaven  !  yes.  And  with  these  straight  English 
curbs  he  could  do  it  as  easy  as  lying." 

Truscott  took  out  his  watch,  and  with  a  start  ex 
claimed,  "  I  ought  to  have  been  at  the  office  half  an 
hour  ago,  and  here  comes  the  colonel's  orderly  after 
me  now.  Ray,  what  are  you  going  to  do  this  morn- 
ing?" 

"  I  was  going  to  write  up  the  record  of  that  last  court, 
but  d — d  if  I  can  now.  Going  out  Ranger  will  do 
well  enough,  probably.  It's  when  he  gets  his  head 
turned  homewards  that  stampedes  me.  If  he  should 
bolt  above  the  bend,  where  the  road  runs  along  the 
creek,  why,  it's  as  crooked  as  Oakes  Ames,  and  he'd 
dash  over  some  of  those  banks " 

"  Take  your  horse,"  broke  in  Truscott, — "  take  your 
horse  and  go  out  beyond  the  four-mile  bend  anyhow. 
Yes,  orderly,  say  to  the  colonel  I'm  coming  at  once." 

Five  minutes  after  Ray  was  speeding  up  the  valley, 
and  Truscott  was  at  his  desk  in  the  office.  To  his 
colonel's  surprised  and  almost  hurt  "You  are  very  late, 
Truscott,"  he  replied  very  gently,  in  a  voice  that  shook 
a  little,  "It  was  almost  unavoidable,  colonel ;  I  will 


WIN  KINO  HIS  SPURS.  183 

explain  it  all  when  we  get  through."     And  good  old 
Pelham  asked  nothing  more. 

Now  to  follow  Ray.  As  he  bounded  along  over  the 
flats,  taking  short-cuts  wherever  he  could,  he  had  time 
to  think  over  the  situation,  and  did  not  half  like  it. 
Ever  since  the  night  of  the  ball  at  Prescott  he  had 
carried  with  him  the  tassel  of  Grace  Pel  ham's  fan, 
and  Glenham  knew  it;  more  than  that,  Glenham 
had  become  cool  and  constrained  in  his  manner  towards 
him.  It  will  be  remembered  that  Ray  had  carried  off 
the  tassel  just  as  he  was  hurrying  to  join  his  troop,  and 
from  that  time  to  this  he  had  not  been  back  to  his  own 
station,  Camp  Cameron.  During  the  brief  campaign 
his  troop  had  been  attached  to  Canker's  command,  and 
around  the  bivouac-fires  at  night  the  young  officers, 
frequently  talking  over  the  ball,  could  not  refrain  from 
speaking  in  terms  of  enthusiastic  admiration  of  Miss 
Pel  ham's  many  attractive  and  lovely  qualities,  Ray 
being  by  long  odds  the  most  outspoken,  while  poor 
Glenham,  with  his  heart  burning  with  love  for  her, 
sat  silently  apart,  puffing  nervously  at  his  pipe.  He 
could  not  speak  of  her  himself, — it  was  torture  to  him 
to  hear  them  talk  of  her.  It  seemed  like  profanation 
to  hear  her  name  mentioned  under  such  circumstances, 
though  every  word  spoken  was  in  genuine  admiration 
and  respect.  Ray  had  been  quick  to  notice  this,  and 
boing  a  warm-hearted  fellow,  full  of  consideration  for 
other  people  despite  his  recklessness  as  regarded  him 
self,  he  it  was  who  had  privately  suggested  to  his 
comrades  the  propriety  of  discontinuing  the  subject. 
"  You  can  all  see  how  wretched  it  makes  Glenham, — 
poor  devil '  I  know  how  it  is  myself,  so  let's  quit  it, 


184  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

fellows,"  and  quit  it  some  of  them  did.  But  Crane 
and  Carroll  were  possessed  with  malice  and  all  un- 
charitableness,  and  Wilkins  was  not  a  gentleman,  and 
this  trio  saw  fit  to  disregard  Ray's  request.  They 
were  glad  of  a  chance  to  worry  Glenham,  and  for  two 
evenings  after  the  others  had  agreed  to  avoid  the 
subject  in  Glenham's  hearing  these  worthies  had  de 
lightedly  encouraged  one  another  in  keeping  up  sly 
allusions  to  the  fact  that  as  Miss  Pelham  and  Truscott 
were  all  this  time  at  Prescott  together  it  would  doubt 
less  be  an  engagement  by  the  time  they  got  back.  It 
was  a  significant  fact  that  they  selected  such  times  as 
Ray  was  absent  from  the  circle,  looking  after  his  herd 
guard,  as  he  always  did  before  turning  in  at  night,  to 
indulge  in  this  luxury.  Turner  and  Raymond  were 
always  early  to  bed,  and,  rolled  in  their  blankets  under 
the  trees,  heard  nothing  of  it.  Canker  did  not  inter 
pose.  Hunter  and  Dana  were  boys  just  out  of  "  the 
Point,"  and  stood  a  little  in  awe  of  these  older  cam 
paigners  ;  but  Ray  ranked  all  the  subalterns  present, 
they  knew  and  trusted  him,  for  he  had  been  one  of 
their  instructors  in  tactics  and  horsemanship  at  the 
Academy,  and  so  the  second  night  when  he  returned 
to  the  camp-fire  Dana  called  him  to  one  side  and  told 
him  that  Glenham  had  taken  his  blankets  and  gone 
off  out  of  earshot  and  of  the  remarks  of  the  trio  on 
both  nights  while  he  was  away.  Ray  blazed  with 
wrath  a  moment,  then  he  strolled  unconcernedly  bacK 
to  the  fire  telling  Dana  to  remain  where  he  was,  and 
in  the  most  dulcet  tones  imaginable  said,  "Oh,  Crane, 
Carroll,  just  come  with  me  a  moment,  will  you  ?"  And 
ignoring  Wilkins  entirely,  he  led  them,  wondering,  to 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  185 

where  Dana  stood  among  the  pines,  out  beyond  the 
sleeping  group  of  soldiers  into  a  little  open  space  in 
the  clear  moonlight,  and  there  he  turned  and  faced 
them. 

"  Mr.  Crane,  I  address  my  remarks  particularly  to 
you.  Mr.  Carroll  has  but  recently  joined,  and  has  not 
learned  our  ways  yet.  You  have  been  with  us  for 
years.  You  never  have  been,  probably  never  will  be, 
of  us.  It  seems  that  despite  the  discovery  that  our 
thoughtless  talk  about  Miss  Pelham  greatly  distressed 
Mr.  Glenham,  you  have  not  only  persisted  in,  but  have 
added  to  this  means  of  annoying  him.  One  moment. 
Mr.  Crane;  let  me  finish,  and  then  you  may  have  the 
floor  as  long  as  you  like  (there  was  something  silvery 
sweet  in  Ray's  voice  and  manner  just  here).  Gentle 
men  who  detect  what  we  detected  abstain  from  the  pos 
sibility  of  giving  pain  or  offence  that  cannot  be  resented, 
as  Mr.  Glenham  cannot  resent  this.  Cads  and  black 
guards*,  Mr.  Crane, — cads  and  blackguards  continue  to 
aifront  and  annoy  so  long  as  they  think  they  can  do  so 
unmolested." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  insult  me,  sir  ?"  fiercely  demanded 
Lieutenant  Crane. 

"  Just  as  you  please  about  that,  Mr.  Crane,"  said 
Ray,  with  all  the  placidity  of  a  parson.  "  Mr.  Dana 
is  witness  to  my  remarks.  They  certainly  can  be  re 
sented,  and  you  are  at  liberty  to  take  any  steps  in  the 
matter  your  fancy  may  suggest.  We  march  at  seven 
to-morrow ;  there  will  be  abundant  light  and  time  be 
forehand.  Mr.  Dana  will  receive  any  message  you  may 
choose  to  send.  And  now,  Mr.  Carroll,  let  me  as  a 
man  who  would  like  to  be  your  friend  suggest  that,  aa 

16* 


186  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

you  are  just  commencing  your  career  in  the  — th,  that 
you  cut  loose  from  the  society  of  men  who  are  apt  to 
lead  you  into  trouble ;  your  participation  in  this  matter 
doubtless  arose  from  inexperience  and  bad  example. 
Come,  Dana.  Good-night,  gentlemen."  And  with  that 
he  turned  to  go. 

Crane  sulkily  muttered  some  foul  language  as  he 
stood  glaring  after  Ray,  and  once  more  the  latter  faced 
him. 

"  Puppies,  Mr.  Crane,  snarl  and  snap  at  the  heels  of 
men  before  whom  they  grovel  and  cringe.  If  you  have 
anything  to  say,  say  it  now  while  we  are  face  to  face, 
otherwise  be  silent,  or  add  whelp  to  what  I  have  already 
called  you."  And  Ray  stood  squarely  confronting  his 
bulky  antagonist.  But  Crane  knew  his  man  too  well. 
He  muttered  something  about  only  having  been  in  fun, 
not  meaning  to  hurt  Glenham's  feelings,  etc.,  to  which 
Ray  replied  with  some  asperity  and  much  contempt, — 

"  Then  let  there  be  no  more  of  it,  unless  you  want 
this  night's  conversation  and  the  fact  that  you  did  not 
seek  an  officer's  reparation  published  through  the  regi 
ment." 

This  put  an  abrupt  stop  to  Glenham's  nightly  annoy 
ances;  he  knew  not  to  what  influence  to  attribute  the 
change,  he  vaguely  felt  that  Ray  had  something  to  do 
with  it,  and  yet  that  hurt  him,  for  he  knew  that  in  the 
breast  of  his  scouting-jacket  Ray  carried  the  tassel  of 
her  fan,  and  all  that  he  had  ever  won  from  her  was 
the  glove  he  wore  next  his  heart.  Poor  boy  !  He  was 
very  miserable  throughout  that  brief  raid,  and  when 
the  order  came  to  make  for  home  and,  when  one  day's 
march  away,  he  received  reluctant  permission  to  gallop 


WINNING  ms  SPURS.  187 

ahead,  it  was  with  absolute  dismay  that  he  heard  that 
the  general  had  directed  Ray's  troop  to  be  retained  at 
Camp  Sandy,  where  Colonel  Pelham  wanted  to  gather 
as  many  companies  as  possible  for  battalion  instruc 
tion.  So  Ray's  and  "  G"  troop  were  ordered  to  go  into 
camp  on  the  plateau  behind  the  men's  quarters,  and 
Ray  was  sent  ahead  with  him  to  make  the  necessary 
preparations.  Then  Colonel  Pelham  liked  Ray  im 
mensely,  so  Glenham  had  always  heard,  and  just  as 
soon  as  Ray  could  resume  his  uniform,  which  he  had 
left  at  Prescott,  he  appeared  at  the  colonel's,  and  had 
been  a  very  frequent  caller  during  the  few  days  pre 
ceding  this  of  the  ride.  It  worried  Glenham,  and,  boy 
that  he  was,  made  his  manner  to  Ray  very  distant  and 
cold. 

All  this  occurred  to  Ray  as  he  sped  up  the  valley. 
"  I  must  not  join  them,"  he  thought,  "  and  even  if 
they  should  meet  me  'twould  be  awkward.  He  would 
be  ass  enough  to  think  I  was  watching  or  spying." 
And  so,  perplexed  and  dissatisfied,  Ray  passed  among 
the  sharp  turns  and  along  the  stony  road-bed  at  Four- 
Mile  Point,  and  after  much  twisting  and  turning,  rode 
out  from  under  the  cottonwoods  and  willows,  and  there 
lay  before  him,  winding  up  a  gentle  slope  to  the  north 
west,  some  five  hundred  yards  of  smooth  and  unob 
structed  road,  the  old  road  to  Prescott  as  it  lay  in  '7 — 
making  its  first  rise  from  the  valley  to  climb  the  moun 
tain  chain  to  the  west. 

"  All  well  so  far,  thank  God  !"  he  muttered  to  him 
self,  and  then  bringing  his  steed  down  to  a  walk,  he 
rode  slowly  up  the  slope,  pondering  over  the  next  step 
to  be  taken.  "  They  won't  be  apt  to  go  much  higher 


188  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

up  the  valley,"  he  said  to  himself.  "She  would  like 
to  make  the  most  of  her  ride,  no  doubt,  and  gallop  a 
good  deal.  They  did  gallop  up  along  here,"  he  con 
tinued,  as  his  practised  eye  marked  the  hoof-tracks  in 
the  sand ;  "  but  once  over  that  ridge,  Gleuham  will 
want  to  go  slow  and  spoon.  There  is  no  decent  ford 
to  take  a  lady  over  for  five  miles  along  the  Sandy 
above  here.  No ;  they'll  come  back  this  way.  Now, 
how  the  devil  can  I  excuse  my  presence  ?"  And  think 
ing  thus,  some  distance  below  the  ridge  Ray  checked 
his  horse  and  stopped  still.  Once  on  the  crest,  he 
knew  that  he  and  his  horse  could  be  seen  from  far  up 
the  valley.  "  I  never  felt  so  like  a  sneak  in  my  life," 
he  thought.  "  I've  more  than  half  a  mind  to  go  back ; 
but  then  Truscott — No,  by  Jove,  I'll  stick." 

Oh,  well  for  many  a  loving  heart,  well  for  sweet 
Grace  Pelham,  well  for  them  all  was  it  that  the  quickest, 
surest  light-horseman  in  Arizona  stood  to  his  post  that 
day !  Looking  back  down  the  slope,  he  marked  the 
point  around  which  the  road  suddenly  turned  out  of 
sight ;  marked  the  jagged  rocks  over  which  the  Sandy 
went  tumbling  and  frothing  to  the  willow-fringed 
shallows  below ;  marked  how  the  road  seemed  to  end 
right  there,  to  lead  right  there  into  the  jaws  of  de 
struction.  "  D — n  the  man  who  engineered  this  road  !" 
he  says,  aloud,  and  then,  no  longer  irresolute  as  to  his 
course,  he  turns  to  go  on  up  the  slope,  when — God ! 
what  is  that  sound  that  blanches  his  cheek?  The 
sputter  of  gravel,  the  fierce,  terrible  rattle  and  clatter 
of  runaway  hoofs.  All  in  a  second  it  flashed  upon 
him  just  what  to  expect.  All  in  a  second  there  rushed 
into  view  upon  the  ridge  a  sight  that  froze  the  blood 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  189 

in  his  veins.  Ranger,  his  head  high  in  air,  the  bit 
in  his  teeth,  dashing  blindly,  madly  towards  him,  and 
Grace — Grace,  hat  and  veil  gone,  her  beautiful  hair 
streaming  behind  her,  still  firmly  maintaining  seat  and 
rein,  but  powerless  to  control  the  wild  rush  of  her 
steed, — horse  and  rider  came  flying  down  the  slope, 
down  towards  the  pitiless  rocks  and  surges  that  lay  but 
that  short  five  hundred  yards  away.  Now,  Ray, 
Where  are  you  ?  Oh,  never  fear  for  him !  Pluck  and 
skill  and  grit,  coolness  and  nerve  were  never  lacking 
when  Ray  stood  by.  Quick  as  a  flash  he  reins  his 
horse  to  left  about.  Quick  as  a  flash  the  spurred  heels 
strike  home,  and  with  the  shout  of  "  Go,  you  scoundrel !" 
ringing  in  his  startled  ears,  Ray's  horse  springs  into  a 
charge  down  the  slope,  leading  Ranger  by  half  a  dozen 
lengths.  Well  over  to  the  left  of  the  road  his  rider 
guides  him,  looking  warily  ahead  and  noting  with  satis 
faction  that  no  boulders  or  heavy  stones  mar  the  track. 
Then,  cool  and  steady,  he  turns  in  the  saddle  and  waves 
his  hand  to  her  with  cheery  shout,  "All  right,  Miss 
Gracie !  Let  him  come !  Give  him  his  head  !"  She 
cannot  distinguish  the  words,  but  her  glorious  eyes 
brighten,  and  she  smiles  bravely  back.  Ranger  is 
gaining  with  every  stride.  The  racer  of  the  regiment, 
he  is  furious  at  being  led.  Again  Ray  urges  on  his 
fresher  steed.  No  use  to  close  in  on  Ranger  now  ;  he 
would  simply  swerve  off  to  the  right  and,  once  on  the 
turf,  leave  all  behind  him  until  he  plunged  into  some 
of  the  pits  or  sloughs  along  the  flats.  A  hundred  yards 
more  and  the  road  dives  under  the  steep  bank  which 
shuts  it  close  to  the  boiling  water;  but  then,  O  God! 
how  short  a  span  beyond  is  that  terrible  turn,  those 


190  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

frightful  rocks !  "With  every  stride  is  Ranger  gaining. 
Nearer  they  come  to  the  sheltering  bank.  Warily 
Ray  lowers  his  right  hand  behind  his  thigh,  and  with 
head  half  turned  watches  the  crazy  brute  tearing  up 
closer  to  his  flank.  Now  the  bank  is  rising  on  their 
right.  Now  Ranger's  head  is  close  on  his  quarter,  op 
posite  his  shoulder,  almost  opposite  his  horse's  head. 
Now,  Ray!  And  like  flash  of  feathered  arrow  the 
gauntleted  hand  comes  down  on  the  curb,  and  a  grasp 
of  iron  is  laid  on  Ranger's  mouth.  Well  he  knows 
the  hand.  There  follow  a  few  ineffectual  plunges,  and 
then,  with  much  crashing  of  gravel  and  hoof,  panting, 
heaving,  foaming,  he  is  brought  to  a  halt, — ten  yards 
from  the  turn !  Then  Ray  looks  at  Grace.  She  is 
trying  to  say  something,  trying  to  smile,  but  the  reins 
drop  from  her  nerveless  hands,  the  words  falter  on  her 
lips,  the  smile  dies  away,  and,  white  as  a  sheet,  she  is 
reeling  in  her  saddle.  Quick,  quick  as  ever,  his  right 
arm  is  thrown  around  her  waist,  and  he  lifts  her  from 
her  seat,  swings  to  the  ground  on  the  off  side  of  his 
horse,  then,  as  he  would  carry  a  child,  he  bears  her  to 
the  bank  of  the  stream,  lays  her  gently  at  the  foot  of 
a  tree,  fills  his  cap  with  water,  which  he  sprinkles  on 
her  face,  then,  as  she  starts  and  gives  a  little  shuddering 
sigh,  he  kneels  close  beside  her,  lifts  her  tenderly  on 
his  arm  till  her  head  rests  upon  his  shoulder,  and  then 
with  the  same  old  foraging  head-gear  he  fans  and  at 
the  same  time  liberally  besprinkles  the  sweet,  pale  face. 
Ah!  what  is  he  calling  her?  What  is  he  saying  to 
her  as  the  glorious  eyes  slowly  open?  Why  do  the 
heavily-fringed  lids  close  so  quickly  ?  And  that  faint 
color  that  surges  up  to  cheek  and  brow,  what  brings  it 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS. 

there  ?  What  means  this  picture  that  bursts  upon  the 
eyes  of  Glenham,  who  reins  up  beside  them  in  an  agony 
of  fear  ?  Ray  looks  blithely  up. 

"  It's  all  right,  Glenham.  No  harm  done ;  just  a 
little  faint.  Gallop  in  and  bring  out  the  ambulance, 
there's  a  good  fellow." 

And,  sick  at  heart,  Glenham  goes. 


192  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 


CHAPTER    XII. 

MEANTIME,  the  colonel  and  Truscott  remained  at 
their  desks  in  the  office,  the  former  occasionally  ad 
dressing  some  question  to  his  silent  subordinate,  and 
then  going  on  in  his  methodical  way  with  his  letters. 
From  time  to  time  the  sergeant-major  or  a  clerk  would 
enter  with  a  fresh  batch  of  papers,  which  would  be 
noiselessly  deposited  on  the  adjutant's  desk,  and  those 
already  signed  were  as  quietly  removed,  and  in  the  ad 
joining  room,  where  the  clerks  were  busily  at  work, 
made  ready  for  the  mail. 

At  last,  as  eleven  o'clock  drew  nigh,  the  colonel 
appeared  to  have  completed  his  writing,  and,  with  a 
stretch  and  yawn,  rose  and  strolled  over  to  Truscott's 
desk. 

"  Don't  you  think  it  strange  we  have  no  answer  from 
the  general  about  those  scouts  ?"  he  asked. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  Truscott,  rising.  "  But  you  know 
that  Sieber  is  still  out.  He  may  be  waiting  for  his 
report." 

"  All  he  says  is  this,"  said  the  colonel,  hunting  first 
in  his  coat-pockets,  then  among  the  papers  on  his  desk, 
and  picking  up  finally  a  telegraphic  despatch  :  "  '  Hold 
Fanshawe,  Craig,  and  the  Indian  scouts  at  Sandy  until 
further  orders ;' "  and  in  order  to  read  he  had  stepped 
to  the  window  looking  out  on  the  parade.  "  Have  you 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  193 

any  idea  when  Sieber  will  be  in?"  he  asked.  "By 
Jove!  I  believe  the  chief  will  come  down  again  himself 
Even  the  telegraph  is  too  slow  for  him.  Truscott,"  he 
continued,  while  waiting  for  reply  to  his  own  question, 
"  you  cannot  be  well.  I  never  saw  you  so  white  and 
haggard,  and  the  circles  tinder  your  eyes  haunt  me. 
>Pon  my  word,  I  think  you  need  medical  advice,  or  rest, 
or  change,  or  something.  I  thought  you  looked  ill 
enough  yesterday,  but  this  morning  it's  worse." 

"  It  is  nothing  serious,  colonel.  Fve  been  sitting  up 
late  and  smoking  too  much,  I  fancy.  There  was  a  vast 
deal  to  be  done  when  we  got  back,  and  I  could  not  let 
the  work  go." 

"  That  is  why  we  see  so  little  of  you  at  the  house,  I 
suppose,"  said  Pelham.  "  You  must  try  and  come  in 
often.  Jack — I — well — I  never  knew  how  to  speak  to 
you  about  it,  but  that  wild  boy  of  mine  has  recently 
written  me  something  of  what  you  have  been  to  him, 
He  hasn't  told  me  all,  he  says,  but  he  has  told  me 
enough  to  make  me  very  grateful,  as  his  mother  would 
be  too  if  she  knew  the  influence  for  good  you  have  over 
him ;  but  he  shrinks  from  letting  her  know  anything 
of  his  scrapes,  or  Grace  either.  I  don't  know  how  to 
thank  you,  old  fellow,  but — let  us  see  more  of  you.  I 
want  you  to  know  Grace." 

He  had  put  his  hand  affectionately  on  Truscott's 
shoulder,  and  now,  though  his  eyes  were  filled  with 
tears,  the  old  soldier  looked  straight  into  Truscott's, 
and  for  a  second  the  two  clasped  hands,  but  the  adju 
tant  said  not  a  word.  Then  they  strolled  out  on  the 
piazza  together. 

"  Did  you  see  Grace  and  Glenhara  start  this  morn- 
i  n  17 


194  THE   COLO±\&L,'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

ing  ?"  asked  the  colonel.  "  I  had  to  hurry  over  here 
to  answer  those  telegrams,  and  missed  it.  Hollo! 
here  come  Mrs.  Tanner  and  Rosalie,"  he  went  on. 
"Morning,  Mrs.  Tanner,"  he  called  out,  cheerily,  as 
the  stanch  Concord  wagon  spun  along  past  them,  and 
the  smiling  faces  of  its  occupants  nodded  cordial 
response  to  the  salutations  of  the  officers.  "Been 
taking  Rosalie  a  drive  down  the  valley,  I  suppose," 
he  said.  "  Truscott,  I  never  knew  that  little  woman 
until  Tanner's  troop  came  here  last  summer,  and,  do 
you  know?  I  think  she's  one  of  the  most  perfect 
ladies  I  ever  met.  And  yet  my  wife,  and  Grace,  too, 
by  Jupiter,  are  perfectly  dumb  when  I  speak  of  her 
to  them.  What's  the  reason,  hey?" 

But  Truscott  did  not  hear ;  was  not  listening.  With 
cheek  growing  whiter  every  instant,  his  eyes  were  fixed 
upon  the  figure  of  a  soldier  running  towards  them, — 
the  stable  sergeant  of  Tanner's  troop.  An  awful 
dread  had  seized  upon  him.  He  sprang  forward  to 
meet  the  man. 

"  What  is  it,  sergeant  ?     Quick  !" 

"  Ranger,  sir.    He's  just  come  in  all  foam,  and " 

"What,  Jack!  What  is  it?"  gasped  the  colonel, 
with  ashen  face  and  staring  eyes. 

"  Get  into  Mrs.  Tanner's  ambulance  and  go  right  up 
the  valley,  sir.  Take  her  with  you.  Ranger  is  in 
without  Grace !" 

"Oh,  my  God!"  cried  poor  old  Pelham,  as,  be 
wildered  and  horror-stricken,  he  ran  with  Truscott 
towards  Tanner's  quarters.  There  Jack  almost  lifted 
him  into  the  wagon,  and  quickly  told  Mrs.  Tanner 
what  was  wanted.  Crack  went  the  whip,  and  at  a 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  195 

dead  run  they  darted  through  the  north  gate,  leaving 
poor  little  Rosalie  crying  with  fright  and  astonishment 
upon  the  piazza.  As  they  tore  down  the  hill,  Truscott, 
seated  beside  the  driver,  rose  and  almost  hurrahed, — 

"  Cheer  up,  colonel.  We'll  find  her  all  right.  Here's 
Ray's  horse  too>  and  he's  got  her." 

On  they  went,  the  driver  lashing  his  mules  into  a 
gallop  as  they  whirled  along  the  sandy  flats.  Once  or 
twice  a  groan  escaped  the  colonel's  lips,  and  Mrs. 
Tanner  gently  spoke, — 

"  I'm  sure  you  will  find  her  safe.  Mr.  Ray  was 
there  in  time,  or  his  horse  would  not  be  here  now." 

Two  miles  out,  and "  Here  comes  Glenham  !" 

exclaimed  Truscott. 

"Where  is  Grace?  Is  she  hurt?"  almost  screamed 
the  colonel,  thrusting  head  and  half  his  body  through 
the  doorway. 

"  No,  sir.     All  safe— at  Four-Mile " 

"  Go  on,  driver!"  shouted  the  colonel,  never  caring 
to  hear  the  rest  of  Glenham's  report.  Away  went  the 
ambulance,  and  poor  Arthur,  breathless,  unnerved  by 
excitement,  terror,  and  misery,  turned  his  panting  horse 
about  to  follow  in  their  tracks,  and  then,  drooping  his 
head  upon  the  brawny  neck  before  him,  covering  his 
face  with  his  hands,  he  burst  into  tears. 

A  short  drive  took  the  party  in  the  ambulance  to  the 
Point,  much  to  the  astonishment  and  very  much  to  the 
disgust  of  Mr.  Ray,  whose  determination  to  make  hay 
while  the  sun  shone  was  thus  summarily  broken  in  upon. 
He  had  calculated  that  at  least  an  hour  would  elapse 
before  any  vehicle  could  reach  them  from  the  post,  and 
here  it  was  barely  thirty  minutes.  Pelham  sprang  out 


196  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

and  seized  his  daughter  in  his  arms,  kissing  her  re 
peatedly  before  he  spoke  at  all.     Then  he  turned  to 
Ray,  and  grasped  his  hand. 

"I  have  heard  no  particulars.  Glenham  said  she 
was  unhurt,  but  somehow  I  feel  that  we  owe  it  to  you." 

"You  ought  to  have  seen  it,  father,"  said  Grace; 
"  it  was  the  most  skilful  catch  of  a  runaway  horse  that 
ever  I  heard  of.  Ranger  had  the  bit  in  his  teeth  and 
was  simply  uncontrollable ;  and  when  we  came  tearing 
down  this  hill,  and  I  saw  those  rocks  ahead — well,  you 
can  hardly  imagine  how  glad  I  was  to  hear  Mr.  Ray's 
voice." 

Meantime,  Truscott  had  assisted  Mrs.  Tanner  to 
alight,  and  the  gentle  little  lady  came  forward  with 
him  to  congratulate  Miss  Pelham  on  her  escape.  Grace 
looked  embarrassed  the  instant  she  caught  sight  of  the 
pair,  but  thanked  them  with  great  civility  for  their 
prompt  appearance.  Then  the  colonel  insisted  upon 
her  driving  home  with  them  at  once.  The  wagon  was 
reversed,  and  the  entire  party  took  seats  therein  except 
Glenham,  who  had  meantime  arrived,  and  remained  in 
the  saddle  a  silent  and  miserable  spectator  of  the  scene. 
His  woe-begone  aspect  caught  Grace's  eye,  and  she 
leaned  forward  holding  out  her  hand.  "  Please  don't 
worry  about  it,  Mr.  Glenham,"  she  said,  in  her  gentle 
voice.  "  Please  don't  worry.  It  was  all  my  own  fault ; 
you  know  I  insisted  on  trying  that  gallop  against  your 
advice."  And  the  young  fellow's  face  brightened  as 
he  eagerly  clasped  the  extended  hand.  Then  they 
parted ;  the  "  Concord"  driving  back  to  the  post,  and 
Glenham  riding  up  the  road  in  search  of  the  vanished 
chimney-pot. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  197 

That  evening  Mr.  Ray  dined  at  the  colonel's.  On 
every  account  it  ought  to  have  been  to  him  a  most  en 
joyable  occasion ;  but  long  before  coffee  was  served  the 
young  gentleman  wished  that  he  were  dining,  as  indeed 
he  often  had  dined,  on  hard-tack,  cheese,  and  herring, 
with  bottled  beer  ad  libitum,  down  at  the  sutler's  store. 
To  begin  with,  Grace  was  very  pale  and  silent.  She 
strove  to  entertain  him  at  first,  and  to  appear  bright 
and  cheerful,  but  despite  her  efforts  he  plainly  saw  that 
something  had  gone  very  much  amiss.  Her  beautiful 
eyes  gave  unmistakable  tokens  of  recent  and  excessive 
weeping,  and  her  sweet,  low  voice  was  tremulous  in  the 
last  degree.  In  pity  and  sympathy  he  turned  to  the 
colonel,  and  addressed  his  conversation  exclusively  to 
him.  It  was  the  colonel  who,  with  great  effusiveness, 
had  burst  into  his  tent  about  one  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon  and  seized  him  by  both  hands.  "  Ray,  my  dear 
boy,  in  my  anxiety  to  get  Grace  into  the  house  and 
with  her  mother  I  did  not  half  thank  you  for  the  in 
estimable  service  you  rendered  me.  By  heaven  !  I  be 
lieve  that  we  owe  her  life  to  you,"  he  had  exclaimed, 
and  then  after  a  chat  of  half  an  hour  had  made  Ray 
promise  to  come  to  dinner  and  gone  off  homeward.  But 
dinner  at  the  colonel's  did  not  take  place  until  after 
evening  parade,  and  meantime  all  sorts  of  things  had 
happened ;  and  when  dinner-time  came  Grace  was  well- 
nigh  prostrated,  the  colonel  was  wretched,  and  madame, 
the  lady  of  the  house,  appeared  only  as  dinner  was 
announced,  took  her  seat  with  an  air  of  melodramatic 
grandeur,  and  not  only  failed  to  say  one  word  of  thanks 
to  Ray  for  the  rescue  of  the  morning,  but  absolutely 
treated  him  with  haughty  displeasure.  Not  one  civil 

17* 


198  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

word  did  she  speak  during  the  hour  he  spent  in  the 
house;  and  to  be  brief,  she  had  started  in  about  two 
o'clock,  when  the  colonel  came  home  saying  he  had  in 
vited  Ray  to  dinner,  and  spent  the  afternoon  in  making 
her  husband  and  daughter  utterly  miserable.  How  she 
accomplished  this  will  be  detailed  presently.  Ray,  as 
has  been  said,  addressed  his  conversation  to  the  colonel, 
and  with  all  the  tact  at  his  command  strove  to  hide  his 
own  discomfiture.  The  colonel,  for  his  part,  made  fitful 
efforts  to  appear  jolly  and  hospitable.  To  this  end  he 
kept  the  wine  in  constant  play,  and  to  Grace's  conster 
nation  it  soon  became  evident  that  the  unusual  indul 
gence  was  telling  upon  him  with  startling  effect.  He 
talked  incessantly,  he  made  frequent  repetitions,  his 
face  flushed,  and  his  tongue  grew  thick ;  and  finally, 
with  a  glare  of  wrath  and  defiance  at  his  wife,  he 
brought  his  clinched  fist  down  on  the  table  with  a 
thump  that  made  the  glasses  ring,  and  exclaimed, 
"  Ray,  you  saved  my  daughter's  life,  my  dear  boy,  and 
you  shall  be  welcome  to  my  house  and  my  table  when 
ever  you  choose  to  come,  no  matter  who  dares  to  inter 
fere."  Whereupon  her  ladyship  rose  and  left  the  table, 
Grace  following,  but  stopping  to  bend  and  press  her 
pure  lips  upon  her  father's  heated  brow ;  then  giving 
her  hand  to  Ray,  she  begged  him  to  excuse  her  going 
to  her  room,  saying  that  after  all  she  found  she  was  a 
trifle  shaken  by  the  morning's  adventure;  but  her  eyes 
plainly  said  "  Please  go,"  and  go  he  did  ten  minutes 
after,  declaring  he  heard  first  call  for  tattoo,  with  tattoo 
still  an  hour  away.  Then  the  colonel  took  a  nap  on 
the  sofa,  and  Mrs.  Pel  ham  sent  a  messenger  to  say  that 
she  would  like  to  see  Mr.  Glenham. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  199 

No  wonder  Grace  was  looking  pale  and  exhausted 
that  evening.  With  her  buoyant  health  and  her  years 
of  experience  in  the  saddle,  there  was  nothing  in  the 
runaway  of  the  morning  to  cause  any  especial  distress 
as  an  after-effect ;  and  so  to  reassure  her  mother  she  had 
laughed  off  the  affair,  changed  her  dress,  and  appeared 
at  luncheon  as  though  nothing  had  happened.  She  had 
recounted  the  entire  adventure  to  her  ladyship  in  all  its 
essential  particulars,  but  notwithstanding  a  rigorous 
cross-examination  she  had  found  it  possible  to  make  no 
mention  of  Mr.  Ray's  emotional  method  of  restoring 
her  to  consciousness.  Madame  had  sharply  watched 
her  as  she  told  how  the  last  thing  she  remembered  was 
his  lifting  her  from  the  saddle,  and  the  vivid  blush  that 
rose  to  her  temples  had  excited  the  maternal  curiosity, 
if  not  suspicion,  and  had  filled  her  with  vague  alarm. 
Still,  all  might  have  gone  well  had  not  Mr.  Glenham 
appeared  about  noon  bringing  the  riding-hat  and  veil. 
Mrs.  Pelham  welcomed  him  eagerly,  led  him  into  the 
parlor,  and,  noting  his  pallor  and  distress,  had  made 
him  swallow  a  glass  of  wine.  Then  she  relentlessly 
assailed  him  with  questions,  found  him  hopeless  and 
dejected,  and  strove  to  encourage  him,  but  he  broke 
forth  impulsively, — 

"  It  is  no  use,  Mrs.  Pelham.  I  have  no  luck.  Every 
thing  is  against  me.  I  might  have  some  chance  were 
it  not  for  Ray,  but  every  moment  only  adds  to  his  ad 
vantage.  She  has  liked  him  from  the  very  first ;  and 
to-day — to-day — she  must  care  for  him,  for  when  T 
reached  them  she  was  in  his  arms  and — and  he  kissing 
her."  And  poor  Glenham  covered  his  face  with  his 
hands  and  groaned. 


200  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Lady  Pelham  was  horrified.  What!  Grace — her 
Grace  falling  in  love  with  that  penniless,  dissolute 
young  reprobate  Ray !  It  was  monstrous ;  it  was  un 
bearable.  It  should  not  be.  She  made  Glen  ham  prom 
ise  to  obey  her  instructions  implicitly,  and  finally  dis 
missed  him  with  the  assurance  that  Hay  should  be 
sent  to  the  right-about,  and  that  Grace  should  be 
\ brought  to  her  senses  forthwith.  Then  she  started 
for  Grace's  room ;  but  the  ladies  began  to  flock  in  to 
inquire  after  the  young  lady,  and  not  until  after 
luncheon  did  she  get  her  innings. 

Of  that  interview  the  less  said  the  better.  Grace 
was  accused  of  everything  that  was  indelicate,  im 
modest,  unladylike.  A  disgraceful  flirtation  with  a 
man  who  was  utterly  beneath  her — accepting  his 
caresses — and  for  aught  she  knew  returning  them — 
lying  in  his  arms.  Shameful !  shameful !  And  all  the 
time  leading  Glenham  on  and  encouraging  him,  and 
Truscott,  too.  It  was  bad  enough  with  him  at  Pres- 
cott ;  but  this — oh,  what  would  her  poor  father  say  if 
he  knew  it? 

Great  heaven  !  why  attempt  to  describe  it  ?  Is  there 
on  earth,  can  there  be  in  Gehenna,  anything  to  equal 
in  bitterness,  in  rank  injustice,  in  stinging,  scourging, 
scalding  venom,  the  ruthless  tongue  of  an  infuriated 
and  disappointed  woman?  In  vain  Grace  implored 
and  protested ;  in  vain  she  declared  that  it  was  only  in 
her  swoon  that  he  had  held  her ;  in  vain  she  denied  all 
knowledge  of  his  kiss.  Her  mother  stormed  on  until 
in  her  agony  Grace  rushed  from  the  room  just  as  her 
father  entered  the  house,  and  threw  herself,  in  a  passion 
of  tears,  into  his  arms.  Sobbing  and  breathless,  she 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  201 

strove  to  tell  her  story,  but  could  not,  though  he  led 
her  into  the  parlor,  and  taking  her  on  his  knee,  hold 
ing  her  close  to  his  breast,  as  he  had  done  so  many  a 
time  in  her  childhood,  he  strove  to  soothe  and  calm 
her.  Her  ladyship  followed  and  took  the  floor,  reit 
erating  her  accusations,  for,  thoroughly  enraged,  she 
cared  not  what  she  said.  For  a  moment  he  listened  in 
dumb  amaze.  Then,  with  his  arm  still  holding  his 
daughter  close  to  his  heart,  he  sprang  to  his  feet  and 
stood  confronting  her. 

"  Stop  it,  I  say !  Stop  it  at  once  !  I  will  not  listen 
to  such  outrageous  talk,"  he  sternly  spoke,  while  his 
face  grew  white  and  his  firm  mouth  set  like  a  rigid  line 
under  the  crisp  gray  moustache. 

"  Oh,  better  hear  it  from  me,  Colonel  Pelham,  than 
as  the  scandal  of  the  garrison,  as  you  will  hear  it," 
she  answered. 

"  Who  dared  tell  you  such  a  thing  ?  I  don't  believe 
a  word  of  it.  You  are  crazy,  Dolly.  Think  what 
you  are  saying,  and  restrain  yourself.  Gracie,  darling, 
I  know  it  is  all  a  lie.  Don't  sob  so,  girlie ;  don't  sob 
so,"  he  pleaded,  as  his  lips  were  pressed  upon  her 
forehead  and  his  trembling  hand  caressed  her  shining 
hair. 

She  raised  her  face  to  his,  striving  to  smile  through 
her  tears,  striving  to  control  herself. 

"I  had  fainted,  papa.  I — I  know  that  he  lifted 
me  in  his  arms,  but — oh ! — nothing  else,  except — ex 
cept  some  foolish  words  he  spoke." 

"  How  did  you  know  this  ?  Who  is  your  authority 
for  your  statement  ?"  he  said,  angrily,  turning  towards 
his  wife,  who  was  pacing  the  floor  like  a  tragedy  queen, 


202  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR 

She  stopped  and  glared  at  them  as  she  almost  hissed 
her  reply. 

"  Mr.  Glenham,  the  gentleman  she  has  been  trifling 
with,  saw  it  all.  He  is  my  authority.  Perhaps  you 
will  doubt  me  now,  Colonel  Pelham." 

"  Glenham  be  d d  !"  shouted  the  colonel,  now 

fairly  beside  himself  with  wrath.  "  The  idea  of  his 
coming  whining  here  to  you  with  such  a  miserable 
complaint !  If  that's  the  sort  of  man  you  want  your 
daughter  to  marry,  you  can  understand  right  here  that 
I  won't  stand  it.  As  for  Mr.  Ray,  by  Gad !  Mrs.  Pel- 
ham,  he  has  my  respect  and  sympathy.  Yes,  ma'am, 
my  respect  and  sympathy.  I  don't  see  how  he  could 
help  kissing  her ;  I — I'd  have  done  it  myself  in  his 
place ;  and  she's  no  more  to  blame  than  you  are,  nor 
half  as  much,  by  Gad !"  Evidently  the  colonel  was 
getting  madder  and  madder,  and  waxing  illogical  and 
incoherent.  Madame  saw  it  and  recognized  her  advan 
tage.  Oh,  woman,  woman !  you  might  have  spared 
him,  you  might  have  spared  her,  the  bitter  blow  you 
had  in  reserve,  but  in  your  relentless  wrath  nothing 
short  of  torture  could  suffice. 

"  Mr.  Ray  comes  here  to  dinner  to-day,  Mrs.  Pel- 
ham,  and  you  will  see  that  he  is  properly  received  and 
entertained.  He  saved  our  Gracie's  life,  God  bless 
him  !  And  you — you've  no  more  gratitude  than  a  cat," 
continued  our  irate  and  injudicious  colonel.  "  And  as 
for  this  infernal  story  of  your  friend,  Mr.  Glenham,  I 
mean  to  sift  it  for  myself.  I  had  some  regard  for  him 
before.  Now  it's  my  belief  he's  a  mere  milksop." 

Seeing  her  father's  increasing  rage,  poor  Grace  had 
checked  her  tears  and  was  striving  in  vain  to  restrain 


WINNING,  HIS  SPURS.  203 

him.  He  still  stood  with  his  left  arm  closely  enfolding 
her,  his  right  arm  free  and  gesticulating  violently.  It 
was  upraised  as  he  closed  with  his  denunciation  of 
Glenham,  and  he  stood  there  with  flushed  and  angry 
features  frowning  at  his  wife. 

For  an  instant  there  was  silence.  Then  came  her 
answer.  Every  word  sharp  as  the  crack  of  a  whip, 
remorseless,  relentless. 

"  Invite  your  gamblers  and  libertines  if  you  will, 
Colonel  Pelham,  but  spare  your  abuse  of  an  honest 
and  generous  gentleman.  Possibly  you  may  feel  some 
regret  for  your  intemperate  language  when  I  tell  you 
that  but  for  Mr.  Glenham  your  own  flesh  and  blood 
would  now  have  been  involved  in  ruin  and  disgrace, 
that  but  for  his  magnanimity  your  son  would  have 
been  driven  to  suicide." 

Slowly  the  color  faded  from  Pelham's  face,  slowly 
he  unwound  his  arm  from  his  daughter's  waist  and 
leaned  uneasily  forward,  slowly  the  angry  light  faded 
from  his  eyes,  and  little  by  little  a  wistful,  bewil 
dered  gaze  took  its  place.  He  attempted  to  speak, 
but  choked  in  the  effort.  At  last  the  words  came. 
"  What  do  you  mean  ?"  he  whispered.  "  I  don't  under 
stand." 

"  Simply  this,"  she  answered,  coldly :  "  Ralph  has 
been  speculating :  he  obtained  in  some  way  five  hun 
dred  dollars  which  he  felt  sure  of  being  able  to  replace 
in  three  days ;  lost  it  all  and  was  ruined.  He  had  only 
one  hope — Mr.  Glenham,  and  Mr.  Glenham  instantly 
telegraphed  him  the  money  from  Prescott." 

"How  do  you  know  this?"  gasped  the  colonel. 
"  Has  Mr.  Glenham  told  you  this,  too  ?"  he  asked,  un- 


204  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

just  in  his  misery,  as  many  and  many  a  man  has  been, 
warm-hearted  as  he  was. 

"  Mr.  Glenham  is  too  much  of  a  gentleman  to 
mention  such  a  thing.  There,  sir,  is  your  son's  letter 
to  me."  And  she  tossed  him  a  rumpled  sheet.  He 
took  it  from  the  table  mechanically,  seated  himself 
on  the  lounge,  and  began  to  read.  Without  a  word 
Mrs.  Pelham  strode  from  the  room  and  ascended  the 
stairs.  Grace  stood  a  moment  like  one  in  a  trance,  then 
wearily  turning,  slowly,  dreamily  sought  her  own 
room.  Colonel  Pelham  remained  motionless  on  the 
lounge,  and  Maggie,  the  housemaid,  putting  things  to 
rights  in  the  dining-room,  knocked  off  work  and  went 
in  next  door  to  tell  Bridget,  the  cook,  of  the  high  jinka 
at  the  commanding  officer's  that  afternoon. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

PENDING  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Glenham,  for  wnora 
her  ladyship  had  sent  her  messenger,  she  took  a  seat 
upon  the  piazza.  The  evening  air  was  chilly,  and  she 
wrapped  her  mantle  closely  around  her  and  fell  to 
thinking  over  the  events  of  the  day.  It  cannot  be  said 
that  she  felt  either  elation  or  happiness  over  the  result 
of  her  efforts.  Now  that  her  paroxysm  of  rage  had 
vanished  she  began  to  realize  that  she  had  been  horribly 
unjust  to  Grace,  and  yet  had  anybody  suggested  that 
she  had  been  brutally  unjust  it  would  have  fired  her 
with  sufficient  self-righteous  fervor  to  have  nerved  her 
to  repeat  with  emphasis  every  word  she  had  uttered. 
Then  there  was  her  husband.  She  had  humbled  him 
in  the  way  of  all  others  she  well  knew  would  hurt  him 
the  most.  She  had  goaded  him  into  saying  harsh  and 
unjust  things  about  one  of  his  officers,  and  then  cracked 
over  his  head  the  terrific  whip  of  his  great  and  hitherto 
unknown  obligation  to  that  gentleman.  She  had  in 
flicted  upon  him  in  Grace's  presence  the  deep  humilia 
tion  of  hearing  that  his  favorite  son  had  again  been 
resorting  to  questionable  means  of  raising  money  for 
stock-gambling,  and  having  lost,  had  appealed  to  offi 
cers  of  his  regiment  for  assistance  and  got  it.  She  had 
absolutely  insinuated,  as  though  to  throw  brine  upon 
the  quivering  flesh  she  had  galled,  that  Ralph  had  con- 

18 


206  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER,    OR, 

fessed  to  her  that  he  had  tampered  with  funds  that  he 
had  no  authority  to  use,  which  was  untrue  and  unpar 
donable  in  a  mother,  but  rage  was  in  her  heart  when 
she  did  it,  and  she  thought  of  nothing  but  how  surest 
to  wound.  She  had  humbled  him  in  the  dust,  and 
what  had  she  gained  ?  Now  that  it  was  all  over  she 
sat  there  brooding  over  the  affair.  The  colonel  was 
sleeping  heavily  upon  the  lounge  in  the  parlor ;  Grace, 
who  had  gone  to  her  room  immediately  after  dinner, 
had  stolen  down-stairs  and  arranged  the  pillow  more 
comfortably  under  his  head,  and  then,  after  fanning 
him  a  while,  had  seated  herself  in  a  low  chair,  and  with 
her  face  buried  in  her  hands  was  trying  to  think  calmly 
over  all  that  had  happened.  The  lamp  burned  low  on 
the  parlor  table,  and  Mrs.  Pelham  looking  through  the 
slats  of  the  blind  could  see  her  as  she  sat  in  this  atti 
tude  of  utter  dejection.  The  mother's  heart  for  a 
moment  struggled  within  her  and  urged  her  to  go  and 
take  her  to  her  bosom  and  beg  her  pardon  for  the 
hideous  language  she  had  used  that  day,  but  no.  It 
was  no  time  for  weakness,  she  argued.  By  all  means, 
by  any  means,  she  must  be  made  to  marry  Glenham, 
and  then,  said  her  ladyship,  once  rich,  independent, 
with  a  husband  who  adores  her,  she  will  be  happy,  and 
will  thank  me  for  my  unswerving  course.  Yes,  the 
end  will  justify  the  means.  She  must  fret  and  worry 
now  a  while.  Truscott  is  no  longer  to  be  dreaded 
Thanks  to  his  devotion,  or  the  story  of  his  devotion  to 
Mrs.  Tanner,  he  is  disposed  of,  and  Ray  will  be  as  easily 
settled.  She  cannot  have  learned  to  care  for  him  so 
suddenly.  And  so  ran  her  ladyship's  reflections,  and 
BO  she  found  excuses  for  her  unnatural  conduct. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  207 

Ralph's  letter  had  by  no  means  justified  the  tragic 
manner  arid  language  of  her  announcement.  It  was  a 
simple,  warm-hearted,  boyish  confession  to  his  mother 
that  he  had  lost  five  hundred  dollars  in  speculation, 
that  the  money  for  the  margins  had  been  raised  un 
known  to  his  father,  and  that  he  would  have  been 
swamped  but  for  Glenham.  "  I  wrote  to  Truscott  of 
my  trouble,  in  accordance  with  a  promise  I  had  made 
him,  and  instantly  Glenham  sent  me  the  money.  Now 
I  have  quit  it  for  good  and  all,  and  I  want  you  to  know 
it,"  was  pretty  much  what  he  had  written.  All  the 
rest  of  her  sensational  account  was  purely  an  invention 
of  her  own.  She  hated  to  think  that  Truscott  was  in 
any  way  mixed  up  in  the  matter ;  but  there  is  no  need 
of  Grace's  knowing  that,  she  argued.  She  must  under 
stand  that  it  is  all  Mr.  Glenham's  doing.  But  where 
was  Glenham  all  this  time  ?  She  had  sent  for  him  long 
since,  and  he  had  not  come,  nor  had  the  orderly  re 
turned.  What  did  it  mean  ?  The  night  was  dark  and 
chill,  occasional  gusts  of  wind  whirled  through  the  lino 
of  deserted  piazzas.  Officers'  row  outside  was  desolate. 
Every  one  was  in-doors.  Nobody  seemed  to  be  calling 
on  anybody.  She  had  dreaded  that  some  of  the  ladies 
would  be  over  to  make  further  inquiries,  but  none  had 
come.  In  fact,  her  ladyship's  unpopularity  had  begun 
to  be  recognized  as  established  by  this  time,  for  she  had 
snubbed  pretty  much  every  woman  in  the  garrison,  and 
none  of  them  cared  to  call  upon  her  unless  some  new 
story  about  somebody  or  other  was  floated  upon  the 
tide  of  garrison  talk,  and  thereby  rendered  a  chat  with 
her  ladyship  endurable.  Very  lonely  she  felt  as  she 
sat  there  looking  out  on  the  dark  parade  and  listening 


208  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

for  the  clank  of  the  orderly's  sabre  as  he  returned  from 
his  quest.  Over  at  the  adjutant's  office  the  lights  were 
burning  brilliantly  as  ever,  and  there  she  knew  Trus- 
cott  to  be  at  work.  Half  an  hour  passed,  and  at  last  a 
form  came  stalking  up  before  her  through  the  dark 
ness, — the  orderly,  but  no  Glenham. 

"  Could  you  not  find  Mr.  Glenham  ?"  she  asked. 

"No,  ma'am.  The  loot'nint  isn't  in  his  quarters, 
nor  down  at  the  store,  nor  over  at  the  company.  I've 
looked  everywhere,  ma'am,  except  among  the  officers' 
quarters." 

She  pondered  a  moment.  It  was  hardly  possible 
that  he  would  be  calliqg  anywhere  this  evening  of  all 
others.  A  sudden  thought  struck  her. 

"  Have  you  been  to  Mr.  Ray's  camp  ?" 

"  Yes'm,  an'  he  ain't  there.  Mr.  Ray,  he's  down  at 
the  store  playin' "  and  the  orderly  finished  his  sen 
tence  with  a  conscience-stricken  gulp,  it  suddenly  occur 
ring  to  him  that  possibly  poker  was  not  to  be  mentioned 
to  so  exalted  a  lady  as  the  colonel's  wife,  but  madame 
had  no  scruples  in  the  matter.  Here  was  a  possibility 
of  confirmatory  evidence  at  Mr.  Ray's  expense. 

"What  was  he  playing,  orderly?" 

"Cards,  ma'am." 

"  Yes.     Cards,  of  course ;  but  what  game  ?'' 

"  They  plays  it  with  chips,  ma'am,"  said  the  orderly, 
vainly  struggling  to  repair  the  damage  of  his  unlucky 
admission. 

"You  mean  poker,  of  course,"  persisted  madame. 
"  Who  else  was  in  the  game  ?" 

"  Faith,  ma'am,  I  didn't  notice.  I  was  lookin'  for 
Mr.  Glenham,"  stammered  the  soldier,  wishing  to 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  209 

heaven  he  were  out  of  her  clutches;  and  she,  finding 
it  useless  to  question  further,  dismissed  him  and  re 
turned  to  her  reflections. 

Then  soft  and  clear  there  rose  from  near  the  flag 
staff  the  trumpet  signal  for  "  first  call ;"  and,  as  the 
mellow  notes  were  repeated,  the  doors  of  the  men's 
quarters  across  the  parade  were  opened,  and,  with  jest 
and  laughter  and  merry  talk,  the  troopers  came 
sauntering  out.  Here  and  there  lights  flitted  to  and 
fro, — the  lanterns  of  the  first  sergeants.  Then  the 
trumpeters  of  the  entire  command,  having  united, 
began  their  march  around  the  garrison,  sounding  their 
stirring  quicksteps.  Door  after  door  along  officers' 
row  opened  and  gave  exit  to  some  muffled  figure,  and 
the  lanterns  of  the  company  officers  danced  away 
across  the  dark  parade.  Then  her  own  door  opened 
and  closed  with  a  slam,  and  her  husband  stood  beside 
her.  He  glanced  curiously  at  her  one  instant,  and, 
without  a  word,  strolled  off  to  the  other  end  of  the 
piazza;  he  who  rarely  met  her  without  some  kindly 
greeting,  and  she  knew  well  how  deeply  she  had 
wounded  him;  then  the  assembly  rang  out  upon  the 
still  air,  and  the  "  here,"  "  here,"  of  the  men  could  be 
distinctly  heard,  and  the  gruff  voices  of  the  sergeants 
calling  their  rolls ;  then  the  lanterns  all  seemed  to  be 
converging  towards  a  solitary  light  that  stood  under 
the  flag-staff,  each  halting  short  some  few  paces  from 
it,  and  such  communications  as  "  Company  '  B/  pres 
ent,  or  accounted  for,"  "  Company  '  F/  Private  Mul 
ligan  absent,"  came  floating  along  the  chill  night  air ; 
then  all  the  lanterns  scattered,  and  soon  were  out  of 
sight;  all  save  one, — >the  stationary  light  in  the  centre 
o  8* 


210  THE  COLON  EL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

of  the  parade;  and  presently  Truscott's  deep  voice 
was  heard  calling  for  the  first  sergeant  of  some  com 
pany,  and  then  the  colonel  sharply  turned, — 

"Orderly,  my  compliments  to  the  adjutant,  and  say 
I  wish  to  see  him." 

Another  moment  and  the  tall  form  of  Mr.  Truscott 
appeared,  lantern  bearing,  and  the  colonel  spoke, — 

"  What  troop  was  that  failed  to  report  ?" 

"<K,'sir." 

"  <  K !'  Captain  Canker's !  Whose  duty  was  it  to 
receive  the  report  of  the  roll-call  ?" 

"  Mr.  Glenham's,  sir." 

"  Why,  where  on  earth  is  Glenham  ?  I  never  knew 
him  to  miss  roll-call  before." 

"  Nor  I,  colonel.  It  is  possible  he  has  slept  through 
over  home.  He  was  looking  very  worn  and  tired  at 
dinner." 

"  Beg  pardon,  sir,"  broke  in  the  orderly ;  "  I've  been 
everywhere  for  the  loot'nint  this  evening,  and  I  don't 
believe  he's  in  garrison." 

"  Where  else  could  he  be  ?  There's  no  earthly  place 
to  go  to,"  said  Pelham,  impatiently.  "  See  if  you  can 
find  him,  Truscott, — not  that  I  want  to  see  him  to-night, 
—and  then — come  back,  will  you  ?  I  want  to  see  you." 

"  And  should  you  find  Mr.  Glenham,  be  so  kind  as 
to  say  that  Mrs.  Pelham  would  like  to  speak  with  him 
a  few  minutes,"  said  madame,  placidly,  and  Truscott 
walked  rapidly  away  towards  the  northern  end  of  the 
row. 

Sitting  in  the  parlor,  Grace  had  heard  most  of  the 
conversation.  Her  heart  was  full  of  pity  for  Glenhara 
before  the  events  of  this  day,  and  the  suffering  in  his 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  211 

young  face  had  touched  her  deeply  when  she  saw  him 
at  noon.  Now,  now  it  seemed  that  he  had  rescued 
Ralph,  the  brother  whom  she  dearly  loved,  from  a  fate 
that  was  bitter  as  death.  How  could  she  thank  him? 
Where  was  he  ?  What  did  this  strange  absence  mean  ? 

Distressed  and  anxious,  she  stepped  out  on  the  piazza 
and  joined  her  father,  who  was  standing  in  moody 
silence  where  Truscott  had  left  him.  She  slipped  her 
hand  within  his  arm,  saying  not  a  word,  and  rested  her 
soft  cheek  upon  his  shoulder.  The  colonel  sighed 
deeply  as  he  patted  the  little  hand,  and  then  touched 
her  brow  with  his  lips.  Neither  spoke,  but  in  deep, 
sweet  sympathy  father  and  daughter  understood  and 
comforted  one  another. 

Meantime,  Truscott  had  reached  his  quarters.  The 
lamps  were  burning  dimly,  and  a  brief  inspection 
showed  him  that  Glenham  was  not  in  the  house,  but 
his  cavalry  overcoat  and  his  favorite  pipe  were  gone 
too,  and,  taking  his  lantern,  the  adjutant  quickly  stepped 
out  on  the  back  gallery,  and  in  a  moment  more  had 
gained  the  edge  of  the  bluif  north  of  the  post.  Here, 
a  short  pistol  range  from  the  gate,  there  had  been  built 
in  the  bank  a  stout  timber  framework,  on  which  was 
hung  a  huge  wooden  water-wheel,  turned  by  the  flow 
from  the  acequia  on  the  plateau.  The  wheel  worked 
a  force-pump,  by  means  of  which  a  small  supply  of 
water  was  driven  through  wooden  pipes  along  the  back 
of  officers'  row.  The  plash  of  the  water  fell  with  a 
musical  sound  upon  Truscott's  ear  as  he  approached  the 
little  waste  weir  above  the  wheel.  He  walked  quickly 
and  unhesitatingly  towards  it. 

"  Poor  fellow/'  he  said  to  himself,  "  he  has  dreaded 


212  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

meeting  any  of  the  '  crowd'  to-night,  and  has  stolen 
out  here  somewhere  to  dodge  them." 

Searching  along  the  bank,  he  came  to  a  pathway 
leading  down  to  the  well  below  the  wheel,  and,  cau 
tiously  descending  it,  he  suddenly  heard  his  name 
called ;  a  sleepy  voice  inquiring, — 

"  That  you,  Jack  ?    What's  up  ?" 

"  Time  you  were  up,  youngster,"  was  the  half-laugh 
ing  answer.  "What  do  you  mean  by  gipsying  out 
here  all  night?" 

"  I  suppose  I  must  have  been  asleep,"  replied  Glen- 
ham  ;  "  though  God  knows  I  didn't  expect  to  sleep  this 
night,"  he  added,  in  a  tone  of  such  deep  dejection  that, 
as  he  rose,  Truscott  stretched  forth  a  kindly  hand  and 
aided  him  up  the  slope. 

"  Never  mind,  old  fellow,  none  of  the  gang  will  be 
around  to  bother  you.  Come  into  the  house  and  spruce 
up  a  bit.  Mrs.  Pelham  wants  to  see  you,  and  the  chief 
wants  to  see  me.  We'll  go  down  together." 

And  so  the  watchers  on  the  colonel's  piazza  were 
soon  rewarded  by  the  sight  of  the  adjutant  and  his 
comrade  rapidly  approaching,  the  faithful  lantern  still 
swinging  in  Truscott's  hand.  Pelham  greeted  the 
younger  officer  with  an  attempt  at  jocularity  that  well 
nigh  choked  him.  Then  saying, — 

"  I  believe  Mrs.  Pelham  wants  to  have  a  word  with 
you,"  he  turned  to  Truscott.  "  Come  in,  Jack,"  he 
said,  and  led  the  way  into  the  parlor,  whither  Grace 
had  already  fled.  She  rose  as  they  entered,  intending 
to  leave  the  room,  but  her  father  called  to  her  not  to 
go,  and  Truscott,  stepping  forward,  held  out  his  hand, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  213 

"  It  is  the  first  opportunity  I  have  had,  Miss  Pel- 
ham.  I  heartily  congratulate  you  on  your  escape 
this  morning.  I  think  I  ought  to  say  on  your  own 
pluck  and  good  riding." 

"  Pluck  and  good  riding  would  not  have  saved  me, 
Mr.  Truscott,  if  Mr.  Ray  had  not  been  there." 

"  Possibly  not.  Ray's  skill  is  proverbial,  but  pluck 
and  good  riding  kept  you  in  your  seat  when  many  a 
woman  would  have  been  hurled  out  and  dragged." 

"  See  here,  Truscott,"  broke  in  the  colonel,  "  suppose 
you  ride  with  Grace  to-morrow.  You  can  spare  the 
time  now,  can  you  not?  and  I'll  feel  safe  when  she  is 
with  you." 

Despite  his  efforts  at  self-control  the  blood  rushed  to 
the  very  roots  of  his  hair.  Truscott  had  marked  all 
too  keenly  Grace's  constraint  and  coldness  towards  him 
since  their  arrival  at  Sandy,  and  Mrs.  Pelham's  rude 
ness  was  the  talk  of  the  garrison.  Grace,  too,  had  col 
ored  at  her  father's  abrupt  request,  but  said  no  word 
of  remonstrance.  So  Truscott  quickly  spoke, — 

"  I  shall  be  most  happy,  Miss  Pelham,  if  you  will 
honor  me  as  the  colonel  suggests ;"  and  Grace  could  not 
but  accept.  "To-morrow  morning,  then,"  he  added, 
and  with  that  he  turned  to  his  colonel  as  she  passed  on 
into  the  adjoining  room. 

Then  the  old  soldier  grasped  his  hand,  and  in  a  voice 
that  trembled  in  spite  of  his  efforts  at  self-control,  the 
colonel  impetuously  broke  forth, — 

"  Jack,  what  is  this  about  Ralph  ?  I  want  to  know 
everything.  He  writes  to  his  mother  that  he  has  lost 
money  in  speculating,  and  that  through  you  he  has  bor 
rowed  five  hundred  dollars  from  Glenham ;  and  he  in- 


211  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

timates  that  but  for  this  timely  aid  he  would  have  been 
ruined.  Where — how  did  he  raise  the  money  in  the 
first  place?" 

Again  the  flush  of  embarrassment  rose  to  Truscott's 
temples.  He  hesitated  before  speaking,  but  presently 
the  words  came,  calmly,  resolutely. 

"  Just  where  he  got  it  I  do  not  know,  but  this  I  do 
know,  that  in  no  way  has  he  employed  the  funds  of  his 
firm ;  in  no  way  has  he  violated  his  trust.  He  bor 
rowed  the  money  from  some  broker,  giving  his  note  at 
thirty  days, — some  broker  who  knew  him  and  felt  sure 
of  his  money.  He  has  been  led  into  this  speculation 
by  overconfident  friends  in  San  Francisco,  and  he  and 
they  have  been  swallowed  by  larger  and  shrewder 
operators.  It  is  an  expensive  experience,  colonel,  but 
a  valuable  one.  He  wrote  me  fully  and  frankly,  and 
I  feel  confident  that  the  case  stands  as  I  tell  it  to 
you." 

"  God  bless  you,  Jack  !  God  bless  you  for  the  lifting 
of  this  load  from  my  heart.  I — I  feared  it  was  far 
worse.  His  mother  said — well,  she  misunderstood  him, 
or  his  letter,  or  somehow  she  got  it  wrong.  She  thought 
he  might  have  been  tempted  and — you  know,  Jack — 
embezzled  the  money.  It  upset  her  and  made  her 
nervous,  I  suppose,  for  she  broke  it  to  us  in  rather 
a  rough  way.  God  bless  you  again,  Jack !  you've 
been  a  good  friend  to  my  boy."  And  now  the  tears 
were  streaming  down  old  Pelham's  rugged  face,  and  he 
stepped  hurriedly  to  the  door  leading  to  the  dining- 
room. 

"Grace,  daughter,  come  here.  I  want  you  to 'hear 
what  Truscott  says ;  it  isn't  as  your  mother  put  it,  thank 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  215 

God  !  it  isn't  that  at  all."  And  leading  her  in,  he  sank 
upon  the  sofa  and  buried  his  face  in  his  great  bandanna, 
almost  sobbing  in  his  relief  and  joy. 

Looking  down  into  the  sweet,  pale  features,  Truscott 
repeated  to  Grace,  in  his  grave,  gentle  way,  just  what 
he  had  told  her  father,  and  as  he  finished,  and  the  eager, 
anxious,  wistful  gaze  fled  from  her  face,  giving  place  to 
radiant  joy,  she  stood  one  second  looking  up  into  his 
eyes;  then,  with  an  uncontrollable  impulse,  she  threw 
forward  both  her  little  hands,  seizing  his  with  a  clasp 
that  sent  the  blood  thrilling  through  his  veins,  her 
glorious  eyes  welled  with  tears,  and  she  exclaimed,  "  Oh, 
no  wonder  father  says  ( God  bless  you !'  Mr.  Truscott. 
I  say  it.  I  pray  it  again  and  again.  God  bless  you !' 
God  bless  you !"  And  upon  this  most  touching  and 
delightful  of  domestic  pictures  who  should  there  be 
gazing  in  dismay  and  astonishment  but  Lady  Pel  ham 
herself?  Yes,  there  she  stood  at  the  parlor-door,  well- 
nigh  petrified  with  amazement.  Not  one  of  the  three 
observed  her.  All  were  too  much  occupied  in  their 
own  aifairs  to  think  of  her  an  instant.  Listening,  she 
heard  Truscott  reply.  Oh,  could  any  woman  mistake 
the  meaning  of  that  intonation,  the  infinite  tenderness, 
the  tremulous,  almost  caressing  sweetness  of  his  deep 
voice  ? 

"  I  have  done  nothing  to  deserve  such  thanks,  Miss 
Grace;  though  there  is  nothing  I  would  not  do. 
Don't  fear  for  Ralph.  You  shall  have  his  own 
letters — yes,  this  very  night  if  you  like,  and  see  for 
yourself  how  undeserving  he  is  of  such  suspicion." 

And  then,  of  course,  her  ladyship  swept  forward. 
"  If  you  have  any  letters  of  my  son's  bearing  upon 


216  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

this  matter,  Mr.  Truscott,  I  desire  to  see  them,  and 
to-morrow  morning  will  be  time  enough.  Grace  has 
had  quite  enough  agitation  for  one  day  and  needs  re 
pose.  Colonel  Pel  ham,  with  your  permission  I  will 
say  good-night.  Come,  Grace." 

But  Grace  did  not  come  with  the  alacrity  expected 
of  her.  Hardly  noticing  her  mother,  she  stepped  to 
the  colonel's  side  as  he  sat  mopping  his  face  in  his 
handkerchief,  bent  over  him,  twining  her  arms  around 
his  neck  and  kissing  him  tenderly.  Then  she  rose, 
and  standing  before  Truscott,  again  held  out  her  hand, 
and  smiling  brightly  up  in  his  face,  exclaimed, — 

"  I  wish  I  knew  how  to  thank  you,  Mr.  Truscott, 
but  now  I  can  only  say  good-night." 

Only  say  good-night!  But  what  went  with  it? 
Oh,  Grace,  Grace !  were  you  after  all  immodest,  un 
ladylike  ?  If  not,  how  can  you  account  for,  how  can 
you  defend,  the  fact  that  you  did,  honestly  and  actually, 
not  exactly  squeeze,  but  press,  Jack  Truscott's  hand  ? 
To  this  day  he  has  never  forgotten  it. 

That  Mrs.  Pelham  was  all  ready  by  this  time  to 
inflict  another  tirade  of  abuse  upon  her  daughter  is  not 
to  be  doubted  by  any  reasonable  being  who  had  once 
become  well  acquainted  with  that  energetic  matron. 
Having  marshalled  Grace  out  of  the  room,  she  like 
wise  made  her  exit,  closing  the  door  behind  her,  and 
the  stairs  were  presently  heard  creaking  under  her 
weight.  Grace  had  fluttered  up  like  a  bird,  and  rush 
ing  to  her  room  had  closed  her  door  with  some 
emphasis,  quite  as  much  as  to  say  that  she  was  in  no 
mood  for  further  lectures.  But  her  indomitable  parent 
followed  relentlessly  in  her  footsteps,  and  entered  the 


WINNING  IIIS  SPURS.  217 

sanctuary  with  no  ceremony  whatever.  Another  mo 
ment,  and  her  voice  became  audible  in  the  parlor 
below.  Truscott  bade  his  colonel  good-night,  and  that 
veteran  went  up  the  stairs  two  at  a  time  and  precipi 
tated  himself  upon  his  better-half  in  the  midst  of  an 
imposing  sentence. 

"  Dolly !  We've  had  too  much  of  this  sort  of  thing 
to-day.  Not  one  word  now.  I  mean  it.  Come  at 
once  to  your  own  room  and  leave  Grace  in  peace." 

Rare  indeed  were  the  occasions  when  he  ventured 
thus  to  assert  himself  before  her.  But  when  he  did 
she  had  the  deep  sagacity  to  obey.  One  experience  at 
revolt  years  before  had  resulted  so  disastrously  that 
never  again  did  she  attempt  it,  and  so  now  with  a 
glance  full  of  meaning  at  her  daughter,  and  a  heart 
full  of  passion  and  bitterness,  she  rose  in  silence  and 
left  the  room. 

Jack  Truscott  walked  home  with  a  wild  elation  in  his 
heart,  with  pulses  still  bounding  from  the  pressure  of 
that  slender  white  hand.  He  heard  Glenham  moving 
about  in  his  own  room,  but  somehow  he  could  not  bear 
to  see  Glenham  just  then.  Lighting  his  pipe,  and 
throwing  his  cavalry  circular  around  him,  he  took  a 
seat  out  in  the  darkness  of  the  piazza,  and  strove 
calmly  to  think  it  all  over.  Until  this  night  she 
had  plainly  shown  a  desire  to  keep  him  at  a  distance, 
and  he,  too  proud  to  question,  had  accordingly  avoided 
her.  He  could  understand  the  maternal  antipathy, 
but  not  that  of  Grace.  To-night,  all  of  a  sudden,  all 
was  changed,  and  sweeter,  more  attractive  than  ever, 
she  had  shown  herself  to  him  in  her  true  light. 
Striving  to  fathom  it  all,  he  became  absorbed  in 
K  19 


218  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER}   OR, 

thought,  and  failed  to  hear  Glenham's  footsteps  as  the 
latter  approached  him ;  he  started  as  a  hand  was  laid 
on  his  shoulder. 

"  Jack,  I  want  to  talk  to  you ;  I  want  your  advice." 
It  was  Glenham,  pipe  in  mouth  and  camp-chair  in 
hand,  who  had  accosted  him.  He  shook  himself  to 
gether,  and  with  an  effort  bade  his  young  comrade  pull 
up  his  chair  and  fire  away. 

"  It  isn't  such  a  long  story,  Jack ;  I  sha'n't  bore  you 
a  great  while.  You  know  Mrs.  Pelham  sent  for  me 
to-night,  and  we  had  a  talk  about — Miss  Pelham." 
And  already  poor  Arthur  began  to  stumble  and  hesi 
tate.  "  You  must  know  all  about  it,  Jack ;  how — how 
I've  loved  her  ever  since  we  met  at  the  Point  during 
my  first  class  camp  two  years  ago.  It  has  got  to  be 
something  mighty — mighty  serious  with  me,  and  Fm 
afraid  you've  thought  me  unfriendly  and  forgetful  of 
you  of  late ;  but  it  isn't  that,  Jack  ;  I'm  too  miserable 
and  unhappy  to  want  to  see  anybody  but — but  her,  and 
that  only  makes  me  worse.  Everything  is  going  wrong ; 
I  thought  I  had  reason  to  hope ;  I  was  led  to  hope, 
Jack,  but — it  was  all  a  mistake  I  reckon,  and  luck  is 
dead  against  me  here." 

He  stopped  and  looked  appealingly  towards  the 
dimly-outlined  figure  in  the  neighboring  chair.  There 
was  a  moment's  pause,  and  then  Truscott's  pipe  was 
removed  from  his  lips  and  he  slowly  spoke : 

"Glenham,  I  have  known  it,  of  course, — that  is, 
something  of  it.  Do  you  mean  now  that  you  want  me 
to  know  the  whole  story  ?" 

"  Yes,  I  do,  Truscott,  for  I  need  your  advice." 

There  was  another  pause,  and  then  came  the  question : 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  219 

"  You  say  you  were  led  to  hope.  Had  you  spoken  of 
the  matter  to  her  before?" 

"  Yes,  two  years  ago,  at  "West  Point." 

"  And  she  led  you  to  hope  then  ?" 

"  No,  not  at  all ;  she  was  gentle  and  kind,  but — but 
she  was  nothing  more." 

"  Then  how  were  you  led  to  hope  ?" 

"  Mrs.  Pelham,  Jack,  she  talked  to  me  two  or  three 
times,  and  told  me  that  it  was  only  because  Grace  was 
too  young  then,  that  it  would  all  come  right.  That's 
why  I  applied  for  the  — th,  and  was  content  to  come  in 
ut  the  foot  of  the  list.  I'm  no  horseman ;  I'm  only  fit 
for  the  infantry,  and  ought  to  have  gone  in  it." 

"And  since  you  have  been  here  and  at  Prescott  to 
gether,  has  there  been  nothing  more  favorable  ?" 

"  I  thought  so,  and  Mrs.  Pelham  declares  it  is  so, 
but  after  this  wretched  morning — well,  ever  since  Ray 
got  here  I've  thought  otherwise." 

"  Do  you  mean  that  you  look  upon  Ray  as  a  rival  ?" 

"  How  can  I  help  it,  Jack  ?  He  carries  the  tassel 
of  her  fan  in  his  vest-pocket.  He  was  devoted  to  her 
every  chance  he  got  at  Prescott,  so  he  has  been  here, 
and  this  morning — this  morning  he  saved  her  life,  and 
you  know  it,  and  when  I  reached  them — my  God !  he 
had  her  in  his  arms,  and — oh,  I  can't  tell  you  about  it ! 
She  never  moved  even  when  I  came." 

Truscott  winced  as  though  a  sharp  knife  had  sud 
denly  pierced  him,  and  his  voice  was  lower,  deeper, 
than  ever  as  he  asked, — 

"  Do  you  think  she  cares  for  Ray  ?" 

"  I  don't  know.  I  can  only  judge  by  what  I  saw. 
Why,  Truscott,  I — I  saw  him  kiss  her,  and  she — well, 


220  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

if  she  fancied  him  before,  this  morning's  work  has 
finished  it.  She  owes  her  life  to  him." 

Truscott  sat  a  while  in  silence,  then  rose  and  slowly 
paced  up  and  down  the  piazza.  Presently  Glenham 
joined  him,  and  the  two  walked  side  by  side. 

"  I  don't  know  what  to  make  of  Mrs.  Pel  ham,  Trus 
cott,"  said  he.  "  She  sent  to  reassure  me,  she  said,  and 
told  me  that  while  Grace  might  be  grateful  to  Ray  for 
rescuing  her  as  he  did,  she  would  be  far  more  touched 
by  the  infinite  service  I  had  done  her  brother.  I  asked 
her  what  she  meant,  and  she  replied  that  Ralph  had 
confided  to  her  that  I  had  supplied  him  with  a  large 
sum  of  money  to  relieve  him  from  great  and  pressing 
embarrassment.  I  swore  I'd  never  done  anything  of 
the  kind ;  and  when  she  found  I  was  in  earnest,  she 
asked  me  to  forget  that  she  had  mentioned  it,  and  to 
say  nothing  about  it  to  any  one ;  but  she  is  so  mys 
terious  that  I  don't  like  it.  What  is  she  up  to,  do  you 
think?  My  brain  is  addled  to-night." 

"  Hard  to  say,"  replied  Truscott,  briefly.  "  Tell  me 
this,  Glenham,  has  she,  Miss  Pelham,  ever  alluded  to 
her  brother  to  you  ?" 

"  Never.  She  never  does  talk  to  me  except  on  utterly 
matter-of-fact  affairs.  That's  what  grits  me  so.  I  know 
I'm  far  from  being  her  equal  mentally,  but  I'm  not 
utterly  a  blockhead." 

"Then  as  I  understand  you,  Glenham,  you  think 
that  but  for  Ray's  interference  you  could  hope  for 
success?" 

"  Her  mother  says  so,  Jack,  and  I — I  try  to  think 
BO,  but  I  can't  get  over  the  feeling  that  she — that  she 
— well—  -almost  pities  me.  She  has  so  much  character, 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  221 

intellect,  I  suppose  they  call  it,  and  I "  And  her« 

poor  Glenham  stopped  short  with  almost  a  sob,  and 
leaned  drearily  against  one  of  the  wooden  pillars  of 
the  piazza.  Tmscott,  too,  ceased  his  promenade  and 
stood  beside  him,  puffing  somewhat  nervously  at  his 
meerschaum. 

Then  Glenham  spoke  again.  "  Jack,  you  have  always 
been  my  best  friend  here,  and  I  have  learned  to  lean 
upon  you.  I  want  your  advice.  Do  you  think  I  have 
any  chance  with  her  ?" 

For  a  moment  there  was  no  reply;  then  it  came, 
slowly,  almost  sadly. 

"You  have  wealth  and  position,  Glenham.  You 
have  the  best  wishes  of  her  parents.  She  herself  can 
not  but  respect  you  and  your  honest  love  for  her.  I 
should  say  that  the  chances  were  in  your  favor ;  but, 
you  said  '  ad  vice/  Do  you  mean  it?  Do  you  want  to 
know  just  what  I  think  of  this  affair?" 

"  Yes,"  said  Glenham,  huskily. 

"  Then,  in  all  candor,  Arthur,  I  say  to  you,  it  is  my 
belief  that  the  man  who  marries  a  woman  who  either 
is,  or  who  fancies  she  is,  his  mental  superior,  makes  the 
fatal  blunder  of  his  life." 


222  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THAT  Mrs.  Pelham  should  fail  to  put  in  an  appear 
ance  at  the  breakfast-table  on  the  morning  succeeding 
her  tirade  at  the  expense  of  Mr.  Kay  was  a  circum 
stance  neither  to  be  unexpected  nor  greatly  deplored. 
It  had  frequently  happened  of  late  that  the  colonel 
and  his  daughter  had  been  the  only  partakers  of 
that  meal,  as  we  Americans  are  perforce  condemned 
to  designate  those  household  gatherings  whereat,  be  it- 
breakfast  or  dinner,  tea,  supper,  or  luncheon,  we 
thankfully  consume  our  daily  bread.  I  hate  the  word, 
yet  what  have  we  as  a  suitable  equivalent?  Repast 
is  stilted,  refection  monastic,  and  refreshment  applies 
equally  to  a  bath  or  a  "  cocktail."  Meal  it  must  be 
in  all  its  Anglo-Saxon  ugliness  until  some  gifted 
word-builder  come  to  our  rescue  and  evolve  a  term  less 
objectionable. 

The  morning  had  dawned  bright  and  beautiful,  and 
Grace,  whose  sleep  had  been  broken  and  troubled,  rose 
with  the  sun,  and  busied  herself  noiselessly  with  a 
neglected  diary  and  an  equally  neglected  correspondence 
until  the  trumpets  sounding  first  call  for  guard-mount 
ing  warned  her  that  it  was  time  to  make  her  father's 
coffee.  First,  however,  she  tapped  at  her  mother's  door, 
and  receiving  no  answer,  softly  opened  it  and  peered 
in.  Whether  asleep  or  awake  her  ladyship  gave  no 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  223 

indication,  so  Grace  stole  on  tiptoe  to  the  bedside. 
Her  mother's  eyes  were  closed,  arid  to  Grace's  gentle 
inquiry  as  to  how  she  had  passed  the  night,  and 
whether  she  would  breakfast  there,  no  reply  was  vouch 
safed,  so  the  girl  quietly  turned  and  left  her.  Break 
fast  over,  she  and  her  father  had  betaken  themselves  to 
the  piazza  and  watched  the  guard  as  it  passed  in  re 
view.  Then  as  the  colonel  walked  over  to  his  office  to 
receive  the  report  of  the  officer  of  the  day,  Mr.  Trus- 
cott,  in  utter  disregard  of  his  established  custom,  came 
striding  towards  her.  Ladies  on  the  other  galleries 
were  as  quick  to  notice  it  as  Grace  herself,  and  several 
pairs  of  inquisitive  eyes  followed  his  movements  as  he 
stopped  before  her  and,  raising  his  helmet  in  saluta 
tion,  stood,  with  one  foot  resting  upon  the  lower  step, 
looking  up  into  her  face. 

Oddly  enough,  her  first  impulse  on  seeing  him  ap 
proach  was  to  retire  within-doors  and  await  his  coming 
in  the  parlor.  Glancing  along  the  line,  she  could  see 
that  the  unusual  circumstance  of  the  adjutant's  going 
to  greet  her  instead  of  direct  to  his  own  quarters  had 
attracted  wide  attention.  Her  cheek  flushed,  and  her 
eyes  looked  all  the  brighter  in  consequence ;  perhaps, 
too,  she  bit  her  scarlet  lip  in  the  effort  to  quiet  the 
strange  and  tremulous  emotion  with  which  she  marked 
this,  the  first  overt  act  on  his  part  since  her  arrival  at 
Camp  Sandy  that  savored  of  "  attention"  to  her.  Little 
as  it  might  have  been  among  the  other  officers,  it  meant 
something  where  Truscott  was  concerned.  The  instant 
he  had  returned  sabre  after  passing  the  officer  of  the 
day,  and  before  the  guard  had  wheeled  to  left  into  line, 
he  faced  about  and  went  to  the  spot  where  she  stood, 


224  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   Oh, 

and  now  here  he  was  looking  steadfastly  up  into  her 
eyes. 

"  Are  you  sure  you  feel  entirely  equal  to  another  ride 
this  morning,  Miss  Pelhain  ?"  he  asked. 

"  I  am ;  and  I  shall  not  rest  until  I  have  subdued 
that  scamp  of  a  horse." 

"  Then,  if  the  hour  suit  you,  we  will  start  at  ten 
o'clock,"  he  said,  smiling  at  the  determination  of  her 
manner.  "  I  see  you  are  eager  to  try  conclusions  with 
Ranger  again,  and  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  my 
starting  early,  provided  I  go  at  once  to  the  office." 
And  with  that,  suddenly  as  he  came,  he  left  her.  She 
could  hardly  realize  that  he  had  been  there  at  all. 
Turning  to  enter  the  house,  she  saw  that  Mrs.  Tanner 
had  stepped  out  upon  her  piazza,  and  Mrs.  Tanner's 
eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  retiring  form  of  Mr.  Trus- 
cott,  who,  without  backward  glance,  was  walking 
rapidly  towards  headquarters. 

Only  the  day  before,  despite  the  vague  distrust  in 
spired  by  her  mother's  innuendoes,  Grace  had  been  won 
to  the  gentle-mannered  little  lady  by  the  interest  and 
attention  she  had  shown  her  after  the  runaway.  She 
wanted  to  greet  her  with  a  cordial  "  good-morning," 
but  for  a  moment  Mrs.  Tanner  absolutely  did  not  seem 
to  be  aware  of  her  presence,  and  once  more  the  feeling 
of  aversion  struggled  for  the  mastery.  Grace  seized 
the  knob  of  the  door  and  turned  it  sharply,  even  then 
looking  back  at  her  neighbor,  and  just  as  she  did  so 
Mrs.  Tanner  caught  sight  of  her;  a  bright  smile  of 
recognition  flashed  over  her  face,  and  with  a  gesture  of 
invitation  she  stepped  blithely  forward  as  though  to 
speak.  Grace  Pelhain  simply  bowed  calmly,  yes,  coldly, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  225 

and  entered  the  house ;  and  Mrs.  Raymond,  two  doors 
farther  north,  saw  the  whole  thing,  and  went  over  at 
once  to  ask  Mrs.  Turner  what  she  thought  of  it. 

It  was  a  "  troop  drill"  morning,  and  at  nine  o'clock 
all  the  officers  except  the  staff  and  the  officer  of  the  day 
were  summoned  to  their  commands.  For  two  years 
previous  drills  of  any  kind  had  been  the  exception 
rather  than  the  rule  in  the  — th,  for  the  entire  regiment 
had  been  occupied  incessantly  in  mountain  and  desert 
scouting.  Now,  however,  Colonel  Pelham  had  suc 
ceeded  in  assembling  six  of  his  companies  at  head 
quarters,  and  had  inaugurated  a  system  of  instruction 
which  promised  well  for  the  discipline  and  morale  of 
the  command.  By  half-past  nine  the  flats  to  the  north 
of  the  garrison  were  alive  with  blue-bloused  troopers 
and  gay  with  fluttering  guidons,  while  the  trumpets, 
softened  by  distance,  floated  their  stirring  skirmish- 
calls  back  to  the  spectators  on  the  upper  end  of  the 
parade ;  and  here  it  was  that  most  of  the  ladies  had 
gathered  to  watch  the  lively  evolutions  up  the  valley. 

Followed  by  his  orderly  the  colonel  himself  had 
ridden  past  the  group  on  his  way  to  superintend  the 
drills,  and  to  note  with  practised  and  critical  eye  the 
work  of  his  officers  and  men.  And  so  it  happened 
that  when  ten  o'clock  came  and  Mr.  Truscott  with  the 
horses  arrived  at  the  Pelhams'  door,  not  a  lady  in  the 
garrison  took  note  of  the  fact.  Grace  promptly  ap 
peared,  was  swung  up  into  saddle  before  she  realized 
that  her  foot  was  in  his  hand,  and  in  another  instant 
found  herself  riding  at  a  quiet  walk  down  the  slope 
to  the  south,  out  of  sight  of  the  denizens  of  officers' 
row. 


226  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Beyond  a  quiet  commendation  of  her  punctuality 
and  a  request  that  she  should  "  ride  him  on  the  snaffle," 
for  a  few  moments  Mr.  Truscott  had  not  spoken.  He 
was  narrowly  watching  Ranger's  eye  and  the  taper 
ing,  sensitive  ears,  which  kept  tilting  back  and  forth 
in  response  to  the  varying  emotions  of  that  unrepent 
ant  quadruped.  As  for  Grace,  she  sat  as  gracefully 
erect,  as  jauntily  unconcerned  to  all  appearance,  as 
though  the  runaway  of  the  day  before  were  a  matter 
of  no  earthly  consequence;  but  her  hand,  light  and 
low,  felt  warily  the  champing  mouth,  and  the  curb- 
rein  lay  within  the  pressure  of  her  fingers,  where  a 
mere  inch  of  a  turn  of  the  wrist  would  bring  it  into 
play.  She  noted  that  Truscott  rode  well  forward,  close 
to  Ranger's  head,  noted  the  steady  gaze  of  his  dark 
eye,  and  a  feeling  of  security  stole  over  her.  Ranger 
might  curvet  as  he  pleased,  no  movement  could  be  too 
sudden  for  that  vigilant  watch  or  for  that  ready  hand. 
Another  moment  and  side  by  side  the  horses  plunged 
breast-deep  into  the  rapid  waters  of  the  Sandy,  forded 
the  stream,  and  disappeared  among  the  willows  on  the 
eastern  bank. 

It  must  have  been  somewhere  about  eleven  o'clock 
when  Lady  Pelham  descended  to  the  dining-room  in 
quest  of  toast  and  tea.  These  not  being  entirely  to 
her  liking,  she  fussily  wandered  through  her  parlor 
for  a  few  moments,  tossing  over  the  books  and  maga 
zines  as  was  her  wont  when  mentally  disturbed,  and 
finally  betaking  herself  to  the  piazza.  Recall  had 
sounded,  and  the  troops  were  returning  from  drill. 
Some  little  distance  up  the  row  she  saw  her  husband, 
seated  on  his  horse,  conversing  with  one  or  two  officers, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  227 

She  had  not  met  him  since  the  previous  evening,  and 
she  was  not  eager  to  meet  him  now.  That  he  was 
greatly  incensed  at  her  violent  conduct  of  yesterday 
she  felt  morally  certain ;  and  whether  she  had  bettered 
her  cause,  as  she  regarded  Glenham's  suit,  she  felt  by 
no  means  assured.  Presently  the  colonel  came  riding 
towards  her,  and  she  prepared  herself  to  greet  him  as 
she  thought  might  be  most  soothing  to  his  ruffled  feel 
ings  ;  but  to  her  amaze  and  wrath  he  actually  pulled 
up  his  horse  the  instant  he  caught  sight  of  her,  and 
then,  with  a  most  flagrant  counterfeit  of  interest  and 
cordiality, — so  she  deemed  it, — he  dismounted  at  Mrp 
Tanner's  door-step,  and,  bidding  the  orderly  take  his 
horse  to  the  stable,  entered  into  a  lively  conversation 
with  that  lady,  who,  with  Rosalie,  was  awaiting  the 
return  of  the  captain  from  drill.  Angry  again,  and 
in  good  earnest,  her  ladyship  marched  within-doors 
and  spent  half  an  hour  in  the  preparation  of  a  lecture 
to  be  delivered  on  her  lord's  return.  Then  it  occurred 
to  her  that  she  had  not  seen  Grace  since  breakfast- 
time,  when  that  dutiful  daughter  was  tiptoeing  out 
of  the  maternal  bedroom.  Inquiry  of  the  housemaid 
resulted  in  the  information  that  Miss  Grace  had  gone 
riding. 

"With  whom?"  asked  Mrs.  Pelham,  shortly. 

"  Mr.  Truscott,  mum,"  was  the  reply. 

For  an  instant  her  ladyship  stood  transfixed.  Then 
titie  abruptly  left  the  room,  mounted  the  stairs,  took 
from  her  desk  a  letter  she  had  received  only  a  few  days 
before,  read  it  carefully  over,  thrust  it  in  her  pocket, 
and  returned  to  the  piazza.  Colonel  Pelham  was  still 
talking  blithely  to  Mrs.  Tanner,  and  the  captain,  hold- 


228  TEE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER,-   OR, 

ing  Rosalie  on  his  knee,  was  toying  with  the  child's 
pretty  hair.  It  made  a  cheery  picture,  that  group  at  the 
neighboring  quarters,  and  Mrs.  Tanner,  catching  sight 
of  her  lonely  ladyship,  forgiving  the  slights  and  cold 
nesses  she  had  received  at  her  hands,  rose,  and,  coming 
to  the  end  of  the  gallery,  invited  the  elder  lady  to  come 
and  pin  them,  but  retired  in  unmistakable  mortification 
at  the  very  discourteous  manner  in  which  her  invitation 
was  received.  Pelham  himself  colored  with  indigna 
tion  and  speedily  rose,  bade  them  good-morning,  and 
with  a  fixed  determination  to  bring  his  wife  to  a  realiz 
ing  sense  of  the  outrageous  nature  of  her  conduct, 
accosted  her  briefly  with,  "  I  have  something  to  sa'y  to 
you,  Dolly ;  come  into  the  house,"  and  led  the  way  into 
the  parlor.  There  he  turned  and  faced  her,  and  was 
surprised  to  note  how  preternaturally  calm  and  com 
placent  she  looked. 

"  Sit  down,"  he  said,  and  without  a  word  she  obeyed. 
"I  had  grave  reason  to  want  to  see  you  earlier  this 
morning.  Now  I  have  still  graver  reason  to  claim 
your  attention  to  what  I  have  to  say.  Are  you  at 
leisure?  Have  you  time  now  to  listen  to  me?"  he 
continued,  striving  to  speak  gently  and  quietly. 

"I  am  entirely  at  your  service,  Colonel  Pelham," 
was  the  stately  reply. 

"  Very  well,  then,"  and  as  he  spoke  he  paced  slowly 
up  and  down  the  floor.  "  Yesterday  you  saw  fit  to  be 
have  with  infinite  discourtesy  and  rudeness  to  Mr.  Kay, 
my  guest,  at  dinner, — a  gentleman  whom  I  have  every 
reason  to  regard  highly  personally,  and  an  officer  of 
whom  the  regiment  is  proud.  Yesterday  morning" — • 
and  here  his  voice  began  to  tremble — "  he  saved  your 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  229 

daughter's  life.  Last  evening  you  actually  insulted 
him  at  our  table.  The  reasons  you  gave  were  frivo 
lous,  if  not  absolute  falsifications.  I  trust  that  a  night 
of  reflection  has  taught  you  the  propriety  of  your  making 
amends  to  him  as  well  as  to  Grace  in  the  near  future." 
He  paused  and  looked  at  her.  She  was  seated  placidly 
iii  the  easy-chair,  her  hard  eyes  fixed  on  a  tiny  statuette 
on  the  mantel.  She  never  looked  more  imperturbable 
in  her  life,  and  he  could  not  understand  it.  The  mere 
fact  that  he  should  have  been  allowed  to  address  a  few 
score  of  words  of  reproof  to  her  uninterrupted  was  in 
itself  so  unusual  as  to  be  absolutely  disconcerting.  She 
answered  not  a  word.  So  he  went  on  again :  "  Ten 
minutes  ago,  in  my  presence,  you  rudely,  very  rudely 
rejected  a  courteous  invitation  from  Mrs.  Tanner.  I 
have  seen  other  instances  of  your  discourtesy  to  her, 
but  nothing  so  glaring  as  this,  and  now  I  have  called 
you  here  to  listen  to  my  opinion  of  your  conduct " 

"  One  moment,  Colonel  Pelham,"  she  calmly  spoke. 

"  Hey  ?"  he  stammered,  amazed  at  the  placidity  of 
her  tone  and  manner. 

"  One  moment,  I  say.  Let  me  suggest  that  before 
you  proceed  to  wither  me  by  your  remarks  upon  my 
so-called  rudeness  to  Mrs. — to  the  person  you  have 
mentioned,  it  might  be  as  well  to  be  sure  of  your 
ground.  You  propose  calling  me  to  account  because  I 
repel,  have  repelled,  and  shall  repel"  (now  she  began  to 
warm  up  to  her  work)  "  every  attempt  of  that  woman 
to  seek  my  society.  Be  sure  of  your  ground,  colonel. 
Do — you — know  Mrs.  Tanner,  do  you  think  ?"  And 
with  uplifted  eyebrows  and  insinuating  accents  her 
ladyship  looked  into  his  flushed  and  astonished  face. 

20 


230  TIIE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"  Know  her?  Of  course  I  do  !  There  isn't  a  more 
thorough  lady  in  the  regiment.  What  devil's  nonsense 
is  this  you  are  driving  at  ?  What  do  you  mean  to — to 
— hint  or  say?  Speak  out.  I  hate  these  feminine 
slurs.  Who  has  dared  malign  her  to  you?  or  what  do 
you  dare  say  against  her  ?" 

"Dare!  Colonel  Pelham.  Dare!  I  warn  you  to 
guaid  your  temper.  I  pass  over  what  you  said  regard 
ing  my  manner  to  Mr.  Ray.  That  need  not  be  touched 
upon  now,  but  it  is  high  time  you  were  made  aware  of 
the  character  of  the  woman  you  desire  to  force  upon 
my  acquaintance  and  your  innocent  daughter's.  More 
than  that,  if  you  cannot  see  the  desperate  recklessness 
of  allowing  such  men  as  Kay  and  Truscott  to  monopo 
lize  your  child's  society  and  to  go  riding  alone  with  her 
through  the  seclusion  of  this  out-of-the-way  neighbor 
hood,  I  can  and  do,  and  as  her  mother  I  protest  against 
it.  You  hate  feminine  slurs,  you  say;  then  beware 
lest  the  slurs  of  the  whole  garrison  follow  Grace,  in 
nocent  as  she  is,  as  they  have  followed  Mrs.  Tanner, 
innocent  as  she  is  not !" 

"  Stop  right  there,"  said  Pelham.  "  Before  you  go 
one  point  further  give  me  your  authority  for  your 
insinuations  against  Mrs.  Tanner,  that  I  may  judge 
whether  it  be  even  worth  my  while  to  hear  a  specific 
statement."  And  his  voice  was  harsh  and  strained,  his 
eye  troubled. 

"  Your  past  experience  ought  to  have  told  you  that 
I  never  made  an  allegation  I  could  not  substantiate," 
said  madarne,  majestically  ("It  hasn't,  by  a — gulp — 
good  deal,"  said  the  colonel,  sotto  voce),  "  but  you  pay 
no  attention  to  my  warnings.  I  tell  you  no  idle  gossip. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  231 

Ask  any  lady  in  the  garrison,  any  lady  in  the  regiment, 
ay,  any  lady  in  Arizona,  how  Mrs.  Tanner  stands,  and 
you  will  then  begin  to  believe  me.  My  '  authority7  is 
legion,  Colonel  Pelham." 

"  Then  of  what  do  you  accuse  her  ?"  he  demanded, 
wheeling  sharply  about  and  again  confronting  her. 

"  Of  shameful  or  shameless  (as  you  please)  conduct 
with  an  officer  in  this  regiment  during  her  husband's 
absence  in  the  field." 

"Trash  and  nonsense!  I  don't  believe  a  word  of 
it" 

"  Ask  any  lady  in  the  garrison." 

"  I  wouldn't  believe  one  of  them  against  her.  The 
whole  thing  is  some  vile  concoction  of  jealous  and  ma 
lignant  women,  who  envy  her  the  respect  in  which  she 
is  held.  By  the  eternal !  Mrs.  Pelham,  you  will  do 
well  to  keep  out  of  such  infernal  garrison  scandal  as 
this !  You  would  do  well  to " 

"  Copy  after  her,  I  suppose  you  mean  to  say !  Copy 
after  /ier,  colonel !  Now  listen " 

But  listen  he  would  not.  The  crunching  of  hoofs 
was  heard  on  the  gravelly  road  in  front,  and  through 
the  blinds  he  had  caught  sight  of  Grace  and  Truscott 
on  their  return.  He  stepped  eagerly  to  the  door,  but 
even  before  he  could  reach  the  piazza  the  adjutant  had 
thrown  his  reins  to  the  orderly  and  lightly  swung  her 
from  the  saddle.  A  soft  flush  was  mantling  her  fair 
cheek,  and  the  brilliant  eyes  seemed  bathed  in  a  dewy 
light  as  she  glanced  up  from  under  the  fringing  lashes 
to  thank  her  escort.  Even  as  he  came  forth  to  greet 
them  the  colonel  could  not  but  note  how  radiant  was 
her  beauty,  and  how  earnest,  how  grave  and  reverent 


232  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

was  Truscott's  manner  as  he  bent  low  over  the  shyly 
tendered  hand. 

"  It  has  been  such  a  lovely  ride,  Mr.  Truscott,"  she 
said,  "  and  Fm  sure  Ranger  could  not  have  gone  better." 

"  It  has  been  a  lovely  ride  to  me,  Miss  Pelham,"  he 
replied ;  "  and  I  hope  for  others  yet  to  come,  may  I 
not  ?"  he  asked,  and  as  he  asked  he — he  could  not  have 
been  thinking  as  he  stood  gazing  down  into  her  face — 
retained  in  his  the  slender  hand  he  had  taken,  and  for 
an  instant  it  did  not  seem  to  her  at  all  an  unusual 
thing;  then  she  suddenly  but  gently  withdrew  it,  and 
her  color  deepened  as  she  answered, — 

"  Yes,  indeed ;  I  will  ride  with  you  gladly." 

And  Mrs.  Pelham,  noting  every  look  and  word,  set 
her  teeth  and  muttered,  "  Not  one  more  if  /  know  it." 

"  Come  to  lunch,  Truscott,"  called  the  colonel ;  "  we 
nevep  see  you  nowadays.  Come,  man." 

And  Truscott  looked  first  towards  her,  a  quick, 
flitting  glance,  but  though  she  spoke  no  word,  he 
thought  he  could  read  a  second  invitation  in  the  sweet 
eyes  that  for  one  instant  met  his  own. 

"  I  will  come,  colonel,  with  pleasure,"  he  answered. 
"  Let  me  sign  those  papers  on  my  desk,  and  I  will  be 
here  in  fifteen  minutes." 

Then  Colonel  Pelham  re-entered  the  parlor.  Grace 
darted  up-stairs  to  change  her  dress,  and  Lady  Pelham 
turned  sharply  from  the  window  to  meet  her  lord. 

"  You  have  asked  Mr.  Truscott  here  to  lunch  ?"  she 
inquired. 

"  Certainly  I  have,"  said  he,  stung  by  the  indescrib 
able  tone  of  her  query. 

"You  consider  Mr.  Truscott  a  suitable  escort  for 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  233 

your  daughter,  and  a  fit  person  to  invite  to  your  table, 
I  suppose  ?" 

"Suppose!"  he  broke  forth,  flushing  with  indigna 
tion  and  annoyance.  "  Suppose  !  Look  here,  Dolly, 
this  is  becoming  insupportable.  Last  night  it  was 
Kay.  To-day,  Truscott,  my  adjutant,  the  best  officer 
and  most  thorough  gentleman  in  the  regiment.  What 
has  got  into  you  ?  You  of  all  others  ought  to  welcome 
him.  You  know  he  has  been  the  means  of  saving 
Ralph.  You " 

"  I  know  nothing  of  the  kind.  "We  owe  everything 
to  Mr.  Glenham  where  Ealph  is  concerned,  though  Mr. 
Truscott  would,  doubtless,  like  to  arrogate  all  that  to 
himself.  What  I  do  know  is  this,  that  your  paragon 
of  an  adjutant  is  the  man  to  whom  Mrs.  Tanner  owes 
her  fall " 

She  stopped  suddenly,  trembling  at  her  own  audacity, 
at  the  force  and  outrage  of  the  blow  she  had  struck,  and 
at  the  horror  and  amaze  in  his  face.  For  an  instant 
she  longed  to  unsay,  at  least  to  qualify  her  words, 
to  avert  from  herself  the  coasequences  she  felt  sure 
would  result  from  the  vile  exaggeration  of  which  she 
had  been  guilty.  The  expression  in  his  face  frightened 
her.  At  first  he  glared  with  anger ;  then,  little  by 
little,  the  color  died  away.  Incredulity,  pity,  contempt, 
one  after  another,  shone  in  the  steady  eyes  which  never 
left  her  face.  At  last,  with  a  shrug  of  his  shoulders, 
a  "  pa-a-h !"  of  utter  disgust,  he  turned  coldly  and 
deliberately  away.  At  the  door  he  paused. 

"  I  thought  the  whole  thing  was  a  lie  before.  Noui 
I  know  it." 

She  fairly  rushed  towards  him.  "  You  shall  not  go 
20* 


234  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

until  you  have  heard  all.  You  must  hear  it  now. 
You  say" — seizing  his  arm — "you  would  believe  no 
lady  in  this  garrison.  The  time  was  when  you  used  to 
hold  Mrs.  Treadwell  up  to  me  as  the  model  of  all  an 
army  wife  should  be.  Perhaps  you  would  ignore  her 
opinion  ?" 

"  Mrs.  Treadwell  would  never  be  mixed  up  in  any 
such  disgraceful  business  as  the  circulation  of  such  a 
story,"  he  answered,  coldly. 

"But  it  was  Mrs.  Treadwell,"  she  panted.  "She 
herself  who  saw — who  discovered  the  whole  thing. 
She  who  warned  the  others  that  what  they  suspected 
was — was  true." 

"  You  have  been  told  this,  perhaps,"  he  said,  weary 
of  the  matter  and  of  her,  striving  to  pull  away  from 
her  grasp  ;  "  but  these  women's  yarns  are  too  malicious, 
too  utterly  base  and  baseless  to  be  listened  to.  I  don't 
believe  Mrs.  Treadwell  ever  said  such  a  thing." 

"  You  wouldn't  believe  it,  I  suppose,  if  she  herself 
were  to  write  and  tell  you." 

"  She  never  would  write  such  a  thing." 

"  Wouldn't  she,  Colonel  Pelham?  Kead  that."  And 
her  ladyship  forced  into  his  hand  the  letter  she  had 
secreted  in  her  pocket.  Barely  glancing  at  the  super 
scription,  he  thrust  it  aside. 

"  I  will  not  read  it.  It  is — well,  it  may  be  hers,  of 
course,  but  I  do  not  desire  to  see  it." 

"  See  or  hear  it  you  must.  You  accuse  and  believe 
me  guilty  of  slander  and  malice.  I  tell  you  that  the 
proof  of  my  words  is  here.  Be  just,  Colonel  Pelham. 
I  have  some  rights  in  this  matter." 

Wearily  his  head  bent  forward  on  his  breast,  and  his 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  235 

hands  clinched  in  the  paroxysm  of  disgust  that  had 
seized  him. 

"  Read,  if  you  must,"  he  said,  finally  ;  "  I  will  hear 
what  she  has  to  say."  And  read  she  did,  slowly,  em 
phatically,  what  follows. 

"FORT  HAYS,  KANSAS,  December  7,  18 — . 

"  Your  letter  of  the  23d  ult.  reached  me  yesterday, 
my  dear  Mrs.  Pelham,  and  I  am  greatly  distressed  at 
its  contents.  You  give  me  to  understand  that  recent 
events  have  revived  a  story  that  I  had  hoped  was  long 
since  forgotten,  and  you  indicate  that  for  your  daugh 
ter's  sake  it  is  necessary  that  you  should  know  just 
what  I  know  or  saw.  It  is  inexpressibly  painful  to 
me  to  have  to  write  upon  such  a  subject,  and  that  I  do 
so  at  all  is  due,  first,  to  your  urgent  appeal  on  Grace's 
account ;  second,  to  the  fact  that  I  believe  you  have 
heard  a  most  exaggerated  statement  of  what  took  place 
at  Fort  Phoenix.  Under  these  circumstances  I  yield 
to  your  request. 

"  Mr.  Truscott  arrived  suddenly  at  Phoenix.  Cap 
tain  Tanner's  quarters  adjoined  ours,  and  for  a  month 
or  more  Mrs.  Tanner  and  I  had  been  on  terms  of  inti 
macy.  I  felt  for  her  a  warm  and  constantly-growing 
friendship,  even  admiration,  and  had  been  in  the  daily 
habit  of  running  in  to  see  her  at  any  hour,  never  think 
ing  of  knocking  at  the  door.  Hearing  of  Mr.  Trus- 
cott's  arrival  and  knowing  how  warm  a  regard  she  and 
her  husband  entertained  for  him,  I  dropped  my  work 
and  hurried  in  to  tell  her,  as  I  supposed,  of  his  pres 
ence.  The  front  door  was  open,  the  parlor-door  par 
tially  so,  and,  as  I  entered  hastily,  I  could  not  but  see 


236  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OK, 

what  I  did.  Mrs.  Tanner  was  sobbing  in  his  arms  as 
he  stood  facing  the  door,  her  back  was  towards  me,  and 
she  was  looking  up  into  his  face,  he  down  into  hers. 
Neither  of  them  observed  me,  and  I  withdrew  at  once. 

"  Two  weeks  afterwards,  to  my  infinite  regret,  I,  in 
strict  confidence,  told  what  I  had  seen  to  a  lady  now 
no  longer  with  the  regiment.  She  had  heard  some  very 
cruel  rumors,  and — well,  I  cannot  justify  my  action  at 
all.  I  told  her,  and,  beyond  all  doubt,  the  story  has 
reached  you  in  hideously  expanded  form.  Beyond  this 
I  know  nothing,  and  I  beg  that  you  will  do  all  in  your 
power  to  suppress  any  mention  of  even  this  that  I  have 
told  you. 

"  It  is  hard  to  believe,  but  you  compel  me  to  believe 
that  what  took  place  at  Phoenix  was  but  the  preface  to 
the  recent  events  you  allude  to.  With  all  my  heart  I 
hope  that  all  may  be  satisfactorily  explained.  She 
was  my  ideal  of  a  true  woman,  and  Colonel  Tread  well 
thought  him  a  perfect  gentleman  and  soldier. 

"  I  have  no  heart  to  write  of  ordinary  news  or  gossip. 
You  will,  of  course,  welcome  the  order  relieving  you 
from  duty  in  Arizona  and  bringing  you  all  East.  Give 
much  love  to  Grace,  and  tell  her  how  I  wish  I  could 
see  her  now.  We  have  heard  so  much  about  her  from 
Mr.  Sprague  and  Mr.  Walker  of  last  year's  class.  You 
do  not  mention  Mr.  Glenham,  and  they  did. 
11  Very  sincerely  yours, 

"E.  G.  TKEADWELL," 

During  the  reading  of  this  letter  Colonel  Pelham 
had  stood  motionless.  Little  by  little  the  lines  upon 
his  brow  grew  deeper,  and  his  mouth  set  firm  and 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  237 

rigid.  An  ashy  gray  replaced  the  flush  on  face  and 
forehead.  He  passed  his  hand  wonderingly  once  or 
twice  across  his  eyes,  and  at  last  stretched  it  forth. 

"  Let  me  see  that  one  moment,"  he  said ;  and,  taking 
it,  lie  glanced  over  the  pages,  scrutinized  the  signature, 
and  then,  with  an  irrepressible  shudder,  handed  it 
back. 

She  stood  in  silence  before  him.  Well  she  knew  that 
now  it  was  no  time  to  speak.  The  blow  had  struck 
home.  She  watched  him  as  again  he  passed  his  hand 
along  his  forehead  in  that  dazed,  almost  helpless  man 
ner,  and  at  last  in  a  voice  hoarse  and  strange  he  spoke : 

"  Say  no  word  of  this  to  any  one.  I — I  shall  think 
it  all  over.  There  is — there  must  be  some  mistake, 
some  explanation.  Do  you  mean,"  he  asked,  with  sud 
den  vehemence,  t(  that  they  assert  worse  than  this  of 
her—of  him  ?" 

"  They  do,"  was  her  answer.  And  without  a  word 
he  turned  and  left  the  house.  Going  to  the  side-win 
dows,  she  followed  him  with  her  eyes.  "With  bent  head 
and  slow,  uncertain  steps  he  walked  a  few  yards  towards 
his  office,  whither  the  adjutant  had  gone,  but,  as  though 
suddenly  recollecting  himself,  he  turned  abruptly  and 
went  to  the  bluff-side  east  of  the  post.  There  she  lost 
sight  of  him,  and  with  vague  uneasiness  she  left  the 
parlor  and  sought  her  room.  Presently  Grace's  voice, 
blithe,  low,  and  happy,  was  heard.  The  sweet  words 
of  a  favorite  song  came  floating  back  through  the  hall 
way,  and  her  light  footsteps  went  dancing  down  the 
stairs  and  into  the  empty  parlor.  "  More  like  herself 
than  she  has  been  for  days,"  thought  the  mother,  as  she 
listened  to  the  thrill  and  gladness  that  rose  in  every 


238  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER ;    OR, 

mellow  note.  Were  her  efforts,  then,  all  in  vain  ?  Had 
she  been  too  unwary  in  her  guard  ?  Had  she  allowed 
her,  after  all,  to  become  interested  in  this  man,  and  that, 
too,  when  fortune,  position,  independence,  luxury,  lay 
at  her  feet  ?  Bathing  her  hot  face  in  lavender-water, 
her  ladyship  stood  in  deep  anxiety,  even  distress,  before 
her  mirror.  She  had  seen  nothing  of  Glenham  that 
morning ;  he  had  not  even  come  to  inquire  after  Grace. 
What  could  that  mean  ?  Then  how  had  it  happened, 
too,  that,  despite  all  her  warnings,  Grace  had  gone 
riding  with  Truscott  ?  She  could  not  control  her  an 
noyance.  Down  she  went  into  the  parlor  to  investigate. 
It  was  the  first  meeting  of  mother  and  daughter  that 
day,  for  Grace  still  believed  that  her  mother  had  been 
asleep  when  she  entered  her  room  before  breakfast. 
The  girl  had  by  no  means  forgotten  her  ladyship's  con 
duct  of  the  previous  day,  and  her  kiss  of  greeting, 
though  dutiful,  was  not  warm  and  loving  as  of  yore. 
Her  song,  too,  ceased  the  instant  she  heard  the  stairs 
creaking  under  the  maternal  weight. 

"  You  look  unusually  well,  Grace,"  madame  deigned 
to  say.  "I  was  not  aware  that  you  proposed  riding 
again  to-day,  much  less  that  you  would  ride  with  Mr. 
Truscott." 

"  I  went  to  your  room  to  tell  you,  mother,  but  you 
were  asleep.  As  for  riding  with  Mr.  Truscott,  that 
was  father's  doing,  and  I  have  to  thank  him  for  a  very 
pleasant  morning." 

Something  in  the  calm  glance  of  her  daughter's  fear 
less  eyes  awed  yet  provoked  her  ladyship.  Had  it  come 
to  this,  that  Grace,  always  so  docile,  dutiful,  and  yield 
ing  before,  was  now  asserting  independence  of  the 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  239 

mother's  counsel  or  control?  It  stung  her  all  the 
more,  doubled  her  resentment  to  realize  that  her  own 
conduct  had  been  such  as  to  warrant,  even  to  dictate, 
the  withdrawal  of  much  of  the  trust  and  deference 
that  was  a  mother's  due.  She  struggled  a  moment  with 
the  feeling  of  pride  and  love  evoked  by  her  daughter's 
radiant  beauty  as  she  stood  before  her.  But  the  thought 
of  all  that  was  at  stake  nerved  her  to  other  efforts. 

"  Have  you  forgotten,  then,  the  warnings  you  have 
received  as  to  Mr.  Truscott?" 

"  I  have  forgotten  nothing,  mother.  I  simply  can 
not  and  do  not  believe  what  you  have  heard ;  and  I 
cannot  help  liking  a  man  who  has  been  so  true  a  friend 
to  Ralph.7' 

"  What  do  you  know,  pray,  of  his  relations  to 
Ralph  ?" 

"  Nothing  but  what  Ralph's  letters  have  told  me,  of 
course,  and  what  he  himself  admitted  to-day " 

"  What  did  he  admit?  How  did  you  come  to  speak 
of  such  a  thing?""  asked  Mrs.  Pelham,  alarmed  and 
angry. 

"  I  do  not  remember  what  he  said,  mother.  I  do 
not  know  that  he  admitted  anything.  I  was  talking 
of  Ralph  and  of  Ralph's  last  letter  to  me,  and — and 
you  know  how  gratefully  he  wrote  of  Mr.  Truscott. 
How  could  I  help  telling  him  how  glad  I  was  that 
Ralph  had  found  so  good  a  friend?  Ralph  said  he 
owed  everything  to  Mr.  Truscott.  And — well,  he 
really  did  not  say  anything  except  to  protest  that  he 
was  only  too  glad  to  be  of  any  service  to  father's  boy, 
but  that  really  he  had  done  nothing  deserving  of  any 
thanks." 


240  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

"  Then  he  had  the  conscience  to  admit  that !  Why 
could  he  not  have  gone  further  and  told  you  what 
he  perfectly  well  knew, — who  it  was  to  whom  all 
our  thanks  were  due,  our  unspeakable  gratitude,  in 
fact?" 

Grace  opened  her  eyes  in  wonderment,  but  before 
she  could  reply  the  tramping  of  feet  was  heard  on  the 
piazza,  and  the  hall-door  burst  open. 

"  Come  right  in,  Truscott,"  she  heard  her  father  say ; 
and  the  colonel,  holding  an  open  telegraphic  despatch 
in  his  hand,  hastily  entered,  followed  by  the  adjutant. 
The  latter  bowed  silently  to  the  ladies,  the  former 
threw  himself  into  a  chair,  and,,  with  perplexity  and 
some  little  trace  of  excitement  on  his  face,  read  through 
the  closely-written  page.  Then  he  looked  up. 

"  Two  troops  to  start  at  once,  Truscott.  Can  we  get 
scouts  down  from  the  reservation  by  sunset  ?" 

"  An  orderly  can  go  at  once,  sir.  Shall  I  send  the 
order?" 

"Yes;  we  want  twenty  of  their  best."  And  Mr. 
Truscott  disappeared. 

"What  is  it,  colonel?"  demanded  Mrs.  Pelham. 
"  What  is  wrong  ?  Another  outbreak  ?" 

"  The  general  directs  me  to  send  out  a  command  to 
hunt  up  the  Apaches  in  the  Tonto  basin,"  he  replied 
shortly,  "  and  he  may  be  down  here  himself." 

"  Who  will  have  to  go  ?"  she  asked,  anxiously. 

"Who?  Oh,  I  don't  know.  It  goes  according  to 
roster.  Truscott  keeps  that,"  he  answered,  rising  and 
pacing  up  and  down  the  floor.  "  I'm  sorry,  too,"  he 
said,  more  to  himself  than  to  her.  "I'm  sorry,  for 
now  or  never  is  the  time  to  nab  this  band  of  Eski- 


WINNING   .US  SPURS.  241 

minzin's,  and — I'd  like  to  select  the  officer  to  command. 
Some  men  have  no  idea  of  handling  Indians." 

"  Who  are  the  best  for  such  duty  ?"  persisted  madame. 

"They're  all  good,  Dolly;  they're  all  good  so  far 
as  zeal  and  that  sort  of  thing  goes,"  he  answered, 
impatiently,  "  only  Tanner  or  Raymond  or  some  of 
the  youngsters  like  Ray  and  Stryker,  seem  to  have 
better  luck — or  something.  I  wish  this  were  Tanner's 
detail." 

"  So  does  Mr.  Truscott,  no  doubt,"  was  the  dry  re 
joinder.  And  looking  sharply,  angrily  at  her,  the 
colonel  stopped  short  in  his  walk,  and  was  about  to 
speak,  when  the  sight  of  Grace's  troubled  face  re 
strained  him.  Another  moment,  and  Truscott  knocked 
and  re-entered. 

"  Whose  companies  are  first  for  detail  ?"  asked  Pel- 
ham,  the  instant  he  appeared. 

"  Tanner's  and  Ray's,  sir,"  was  the  quiet,  prompt 
reply. 

Despite  his  effort  the  colonel  started,  and  the  color 
leaped  to  his  forehead.  Madame  gave  an  audible  gasp. 

"  I  thought  Tanner — at  least  I  understood  that  Ray 
mond's  company  had  been  longer  in  garrison  than  Cap 
tain  Tanner's,"  he  said. 

u  Tanner's  only  went  to  the  reservation  on  this  last 
scout,  colonel,"  answered  the  adjutant,  very  respectfully, 
"  and  Raymond's  has  been  out  twice  since  August." 

"  True.  I  had  forgotten  it.  I'm  heartily  glad  that 
it  is  Tanner's  turn ;  he  is  the  very  man  to  settle  this 
business.  Well,  notify  them  at  once,  Truscott,  then 
come  to  lunch.  I  declare  I  had  f  Drgotten  it.  I  would 
like  to  see  Tanner  myself ;  as  soon  as  possible,  though, 

L  21 


242  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

if  you  will  tell  him."  And  bowing  again,  the  adjutant 
withdrew. 

Mrs.  Pelham  had  insinuated  that  Mr.  Truscott  would 
be  glad  that  it  was  Captain  Tanner's  detail  for  scouting 
duty.  Very  far  from  glad  did  Mr.  Truscott  look  as 
he  knocked  at  Captain  Tanner's  door.  It  was  opened 
by  little  Rosalie  herself,  her  face  all  beaming  with  smiles 
when  she  caught  sight  of  her  friend.  Jack  bent  and 
raised  her  in  his  arms,  tenderly  kissing  the  bonny  cheek. 
"  Kun  and  tell  papa  Uncle  Jack  wants  to  see  him," 
he  said,  as  he  set  her  down ;  and  as  she  trotted  away 
he  seated  himself  at  the  window  and  covered  his  face 
with  his  hands,  his  elbows  resting  on  his  knees.  The 
dejection  of  his  attitude  struck  Tanner  the  instant  he 
entered,  but  before  he  could  speak  the  adjutant  rose. 

"What  news,  Jack?" 

"  Another  scout ;  you  to  command ;  start  to-night." 
And  the  two  men  looked  into  one  another's  eyes  with 
out  a  word  for  a  moment.  Then  Truscott  held  forth 
his  hand  and  took  that  of  his  friend. 

"  The  thing  has  been  worrying  me  ever  since  Craig 
and  Fanshawe  got  in.  I  knew  the  chief  would  be  apt 
to  send  out  detachments  from  here,  and — the  detail 
would  come  on  you — just  at  this  time." 

"  It  is  what  I  expected,"  said  Tanner ;  "  but  it  is 
pretty  rough  to  have  it  come  just  now." 

"  Does  Mrs.  Tanner  know  ?"  asked  Truscott. 

"No,  she  hasn't  heard,  though  the  other  ladies  in 
the  garrison  seemed  to  know  all  about  it ;  but  she  never 
goes  anywhere,  and  I  could  not  bear  to  tell  her  until  it 
became  a  certainty.  To-night,  do  you  say  ?"  he  asked, 
suddenly. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  243 

"  Yes,  to-night,"  said  Truscott,  sadly.  "  I  suppose 
you  will  have  to  start  soon  after  sunset/7 

"  And  it  was  just  at  tattoo  that — that  baby  died,  five 
years  ago.  It  will  come  hard  to  her ;  that's  all  that 
troubles  me." 

And  for  all  answer  Truscott  could  only  press  his 
hand. 

"  The  colonel  wants  to  see  you  as  soon  as  possible ; 
he  is  home  now.  Tanner,  I  wish  to  heaven  I  could 
take  this  detail  for  you.  Won't  you  let  me  tell  him  ? 
Raymond  would  be  only  too  glad  to  go ;  and  there's 
Bay,  who  goes  anyhow.  He  knows  every  inch  of  that 
country,  and  it  would  be  a  splendid  thing  for  him  if  he 
could  have  the  command." 

"  Tell  nobody,  Jack.  I  never  shirked  a  duty,  big 
or  little,  yet,  and  I  won't  now.  If  it  were  not  for  poor 
Nellie  I  wouldn't  ask  anything  better  than  this  chance 
at  old  'Skiminzin.  It  is  the  breaking  it  to  her  I  dread. 
She's  up-stairs  now  with — with  the  little  one's  shoes 
and  stockings.  She  thought  I  did  not  see  her  get  them 
from  the  baby  trunk,  but  I  did.  My  God,  Jack !  it's 
breaking  it  to  her  that  upsets  me.  I'll  go  and  see  the 
colonel  first."  And  taking  his  forage-cap,  Tanner  and 
Truscott  went  forth  together,  the  latter  crossing  the  pa 
rade  and  proceeding  to  the  camp  in  rear  of  the  garrison. 
It  was  after  one  o'clock,  after  lunch- time.  The  mess- 
room  of  the  bachelor  officers  was  deserted,  as  he  could 
see.  Several  of  the  juniors — Crane,  Dana,  and  Hun 
ter — were  grouped  around  the  doorway  of  the  court- 
martial  room  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  other  members 
of  the  court,  then  trying  some  cases  among  the  enlisted 
men,  but  none  of  them  had  seen  Kay ;  he  had  not  been 


244  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

to  lunch,  had  not  been  seen  since  morning  drill.  Trus- 
cott  said  nothing,  but  continued  on  his  way  towards 
camp  until  he  had  passed  beyond  the  company  quarters, 
then  turning  sharp  to  his  left,  he  rapidly  descended  the 
hill  and  took  the  shortest  cut  for  "  the  store." 

"  Good-day,  Mr.  Truscott,"  exclaimed  the  barkeeper, 
as  he  entered.  "  Don't  often  see  you  down  here,  sir,"  he 
went  on,  eager  to  be  civil  to  the  officer  who  represented 
so  much  influence  and  power  at  headquarters.  "  Look 
ing  for  anybody  ?"  he  asked,  as  Truscott's  keen  glance 
took  in  the  other  occupants  of  the  main  room,  then  wan 
dered  to  the  green-baize  door  of  the  card-room  beyond. 

"  Who  are  in  there  ?"  he  briefly  asked,  in  a  low  tone, 
as  he  noted  the  silence  that  had  fallen  upon  the  group 
of  packers  and  quartermaster's  men  who  were  loafing 
about. 

The  barkeeper  winked  confidentially,  and  whispered, 
"  Little  game  going  on.  Some  of  the  boys  down  from 
Prescott.  The  doctor's  there,  and  Ray  and  Wilkins." 

"  Tell  Mr.  Ray  I  want  to  see  him,  around  at  the 
side-door,"  said  Truscott,  and  left  the  room. 

In  another  moment  Ray  had  joined  him,  and  Ray's 
face  was  flushed  and  his  eyes  glassy. 

"  What's  up,  Jack  ?"  he  queried. 

"Scout,  and  you're  wanted  instanter,"  said  Jack, 
gravely. 

"  Hurray  for  hurrah !     Who  is  it  this  time  ?" 

"  Eskiminzin,  I  believe.  It's  over  your  old  stamp 
ing-ground.  Tonto  basin,  anyway.'" 

"  Bully !     When  do  we  light  out  ?" 

u  This  evening.  No  time  to  be  lost.  Better  come 
up  and  get  your  men  ready  right  off." 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  245 

Ray  hesitated  and  looked  grave.  "  By  Jove,  Jack, 
that's  bad!  I  dropped  a  month's  pay  last  night,  and 
now  the  luck's  just  beginning  to  turn.  I  want  to  quit 
even  if  I  can,  but  this  scout  business  knocks  it.  D — n 
the  odds,  though !  I'm  better  out  roughing  it  than 
fooling  around  here,  where  I'm  only  in  the  way.  Who 
else  goes?"  he  asked,  suddenly. 

"  Tanner  and  you  with  your  troops  and  some  twenty 
Apache-Mohaves." 

"  What  subs  ?    Don't  Glenham  go  ?" 

"  Probably  not,  as  he  is  Canker's  only  assistant  now. 
Why  should  he?" 

"  Oh,  I  don't  know,  only  if  I  were  in  his  place  I'd 
want  to.  I'll  be  up  in  ten  minutes,  Jack."  And  with 
that  Mr.  Kay  returned  to  the  card-room  to  wind  up 
his  connection  with  the  game,  and  Truscott  went  direct 
to  his  colonel's. 

"  What  the  mischief  does  Kay  mean  ?"  thought  he, 
as  he  walked  rapidly  along.  "  He  has  been  drinking, 
to  be  sure,  but  knows  well  enough  what  he  is  about. 
'  If  I  were  in  Glenham's  place  I'd  want  to  go.'  What 
does  he  mean  ?" 


246  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 


CHAPTER  XY. 

THE  duty  performed  of  notifying  the  troop  com 
manders  of  their  detail,  Mr.  Truscott  proceeded  at 
once  to  rejoin  the  colonel,  and  found  Captain  Tanner 
just  leaving. 

"  I  am  very  sorry  you  will  not  stay  and  lunch  with 
us,"  Pelham  was  saying,  "  but  I  understand  well  enough 
that  you  will  want  every  moment  of  your  time.  I 
shall  be  out  to  see  you  off,  though,  and  shall  hope  to 
meet  you  again  meantime."  Then,  as  the  captain 
walked  away  and  Grace  smilingly  welcomed  Truscott 
and  slipped  her  hand  within  her  father's  arm  as  though 
to  call  his  attention  to  the  fact  that  luncheon  was  wait 
ing,  the  latter  stood  gazing  after  Tanner's  receding  form. 

"  The  more  I  see  of  that  man  the  more  I  like  him," 
he  said,  musingly.  "  He  is  one  of  the  most  soldierly 
fellows  I  ever  met ;  and  yet,  do  you  know,  Truscott, 
it  seemed  to  me  that  he  was  anything  but  glad  of  this 
detail?"  And  the  colonel  turned  and  faced  his  adju 
tant,  Grace  still  resting  her  hand  upon  his  arm. 

Before  he  could  collect  his  thoughts  for  the  reply 
evidently  expected  of  him,  Mr.  Truscott  became  aware 
of  the  fact  that  Mrs.  Pelham  had  suddenly  appeared 
at  the  hall-door  and  was  intently  regarding  him.  His 
hesitation  instantly  attracted  the  colonel's  attention. 

"  Has  he  any  reason  for  not  wishing  to  go  ?"  he 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  247 

asked,  and  there  was  an  unusual  tone  as  of  annoyance 
in  his  voice,  something  sharp  and  unnatural. 

Truscott  colored  slightly,  but  spoke  slowly  and 
calmly  in  reply.  Involuntarily  he  glanced  at  Grace, 
and  was  surprised  at  the  intent  expression  with  which 
her  eyes,  too,  were  fixed  upon  him.  Instantly,  however, 
she  looked  away. 

"  Nothing,  colonel,  that  he  would  allow  to  stand  in 
the  way  of  his  going.  Indeed,  he  will  not  thank  me 
for  admitting  that  the  detail  was  in  the  least  unwel 
come." 

"Then  you  know  he  would  rather  not  leave  the 
post  just  at  this  time,  do  you,  Mr.  Truscott?"  asked 
Mrs.  Pelham,  with  a  calm  deliberation  that  perplexed 
him  for  days  after,  as  again  and  again  her  manner  re 
curred  to  him. 

"Captain  Tanner  would  welcome  this  duty  very 
much  at  any  other  time,  madame,"  was  the  answer; 
"  but  while  it  is  hard  for  him  to  go  at  this  time,  he 
would  consider  it  most  unfriendly  in  me  to  allude  to  it 
with  any  view  to  having  another  take  his  place." 

"  Ah,  I  see  that  you  are  very  jealous  of  the  rights 
of  your  friends.  Some  people,  I  fancy,  would  not 
thank  you  for  such  efforts  in  their  behalf."  And  the 
caustic  emphasis  on  the  words  was  so  marked  that  the 
colonel  turned  sharply  upon  her. 

"  What  earthly  business  is  it  of  yours,  Mrs.  Pel- 
ham  ?  Truscott  is  perfectly  right.  Now  do  hold  your 
tongue,  and  don't  interfere  with  what  is  solely  my  af 
fair.  Let's  go  to  lunch." 

"  You  will  excuse  me,  please,"  said  her  ladyship, 
with  majestic  dignity,  looking  at  nobody  at  all.  "  1 


248  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

am  going  to  Mrs.  Raymond's."  And  with  that  she 
swept  across  the  piazza  and  up  the  row. 

"  Mother  breakfasted  very  late,"  said  Grace,  apolo 
getically,  as  she  led  the  way  to  the  dining-room,  "  and 
she  rarely  takes  luncheon."  But  whether  she  took 
luncheon  or  not,  her  absence  on  this  particular  occasion 
was  readily  forgiven. 

All  the  same,  something  akin  to  constraint  had  fallen 
upon  the  trio.  The  colonel  had  hoped  to  hear  from 
Truscott  a  prompt  disclaimer  of  any  knowledge  of  a 
reason  for  Tanner's  not  desiring  to  go  on  the  scout  just 
ordered,  so,  too,  had  Grace ;  but,  to  the  vague  distress 
of  both,  he  had  virtually  admitted  that  he  knew  of  a 
reason,  and  would  not  disclose  the  nature  thereof. 
Despite  his  efforts  at  cheery  conversation,  the  colonel 
could  not  drive  from  his  thoughts  the  effect  of  that 
strange  letter  of  Mrs.  Treadwell's,  and  despite  his  long 
acquaintance  with  his  wife's  reckless  language  at  the 
expense  of  any  man  or  woman  to  whom  she  took  a  dis 
like,  her  words  of  the  morning  had  powerfully,  pain 
fully  impressed  him.  All  unconscious  of  the  thoughts 
in  his  colonel's  perplexed  head,  Mr.  Truscott  felt  certain 
that  something  had  gone  very  wrong  with  the  chief 
within  the  past  twenty-four  hours,  and,  for  his  own 
part,  he  found  himself  constantly  oppressed  with  the 
contemplation  of  the  effect  the  orders  would  have  upon 
Mrs.  Tanner.  He  strove  to  shut  out  the  sorrowful 
picture  and  to  fittingly  respond  to  Grace's  efforts  at 
being  entertaining,  but  here,  too,  the  effort  was  evident. 
What  could  it  all  mean?  Bay's  mysterious  words 
about  Glenham,  Mrs.  Pel  ham's  extraordinary  language 
and  manner,  the  colonel's  spasmodic  struggles  to  be 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  249 

cheery,  and,  above  all,  Grace's  odd,  constrained  replies  to 
any  allusion  to  Captain  or  Mrs.  Tanner.  Truscott  was 
indeed  puzzled.  Verily,  a  cloud  seemed  to  have  fallen 
upon  the  house,  and  it  was  with  absolute  relief  that  the 
trio  heard  a  quick,  light  footstep  on  the  piazza,  and  the 
chirrupy  voice  of  Mr.  Ray  inquiring  for  the  colonel 
and  the  ladies.  They  rose  and  met  him  in  the  parlor. 

Bright  as  a  button  looked  that  young  gentleman  as 
he  blithely  greeted  them.  Even  Jack,  accustomed  as 
he  was  to  the  mercurial  changes  of  his  comrade,  was 
unprepared  to  see  him  so  radiant;  but  a  cold  plunge- 
bath,  a  change  of  raiment,  and  the  enlivening  prospect 
of  the  work  before  him  had  chased  away  all  vestige  of 
his  morning's  dissipation,  and  Mr.  Ray  was  to  all  ap 
pearances  the  jolliest  man  in  the  garrison. 

"I  have  just  left  Captain  Tanner,  colonel,  and  I 
wanted  to  come  in  to  see  you  and  Miss  Grace  before 
shedding  my  regimentals  and  getting  into  war-paint, 
which  must  be  in  an  hour  from  now.  Jack,  Fve  been 
to  your  quarters,  and  Glenham,  who's  in  the  dumps 
about  something,  said  you  were  here.  Everybody 
knows  we're  going  by  this  time,  and  Glenham  is  ready 
to  cry  because  it  isn't  his  turn.  Colonel,"  he  exclaimed, 
suddenly,  "may  I  see  you  a  few  moments?  Please 
excuse  me,  Miss  Grace.  It  is  my  only  opportunity / 
And  with  that  Truscott  and  Grace  were  left  alone. 

On  the  centre-table  were  two  photograph  albums,  one 
bound  in  Russia  leather  and  stamped  with  the  letters 
G.  P.  in  monogram. 

"  May  I  look  at  this  ?"  he  asked. 

"  Certainly,"  she  replied ;  yet,  as  he  opened  it,  she 
made  an  involuntary  move  as  though  to  check  him. 


250  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

The  first  portrait  was  a  cabinet-sized  photograph  of 
Mr.  Glenham  in  his  cadet  uniform.  For  a  moment 
Truscott  gazed  quietly  at  it  without  saying  a  word,  but 
the  tired  look  she  had  marked  before  when  at  Prescott 
had  stolen  over  his  forehead  and  eyes.  Why  should  she 
excuse  the  prominence  of  that  picture  to  him  ?  Why 
make  any  explanation  at  all  ?  He  had  said  nothing ; 
but  Grace,  coloring  vividly,  looked  up  in  his  face. 

"The  album  was  a  Christmas  present  from  Mr. 
Glenham,  two  years  ago,"  she  said,  hurriedly,  con 
fusedly.  "  That  is  where  he  placed  his  own  picture." 

"  I  did  quite  as  boyish  a  thing,  two  years  ago,  Misb 
Grade,"  said  he,  very  quietly,  while  an  amused  but  by 
no  means  satirical  smile  appeared  under  the  curling 
moustache.  "  It  is  a  most  natural  thing  that  he  should, 
seek  to  be  first  with  you,"  he  added,  gravely,  and  the 
dark  hazel  eyes  looked  steadily  into  her  face  as  the 
words  fell  from  his  lips.  No  wonder  that  the  deep- 
fringed  eyelids  drooped  at  once  beneath  the  searching 
glance.  Her  color  deepened,  and  she  knew  not  what 
to  say.  He  knew  that  his  words  were  tantamount  to 
an  impertinence,  and  yet,  they  had  escaped  him  before 
he  had  weighed  their  meaning ;  he  who  usually  weighed 
every  word.  He  felt  at  once  that,  unexplained,  his 
last  remark  was  unjustifiable.  He  knew  well  that 
there  was  only  one  explanation  which  would  condone 
such  a  solecism  in  a  woman's  eyes ;  and  he  knew  well 
that  now,  despite  the  estrangement  of  the  past  few 
weeks,  broken  only  by  the  sweet  memory  of  the  yester 
day's  ride,  despite  the  open  hostility  of  Mrs.  Pelham, 
despite  all  rumors  of  her  engagement  to  young  Glen 
ham,  he  loved,  and  loved  her  dearly. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  251 

Instantly  he  realized  that  in  this  ill-judged  speech  he 
had  done  injustice  to  himself;  possibly,  nay,  probably, 
had  offended  her.  The  strong  hand  upon  the  album 
trembled  visibly ;  he  stood  for  an  instant,  silent,  gazing 
with  beating  heart  upon  the  drooping  head  and  slender 
figure  before  him.  In  the  adjoining  room  the  deep 
voice  of  the  colonel  and  the  eager,  energetic  tones  of 
Mr.  Ray  could  be  heard  in  earnest  conversation,  but  in 
the  parlor  all  was  still.  Oh,  that  dangerous  silence! 
How  many  an  avowal  has  it  precipitated !  Grace ! 
Grace!  where  is  your  tact,  your  presence  of  mind? 
Why  do  you  not  break  the  spell  ?  Is  it — can  it  be  that 
you  have  penetrated  the  veil  of  his  reserve ;  that  you 
divine  his  thoughts ;  and  that  your  woman's  heart 
craves  the  confession  of  his  love  ? 

Impulsively  he  steps  to  her  side,  his  dark  eyes  glow 
ing,  his  lips  firmly  set ;  but  as  he  speaks  his  voice  is 
low  and  tremulous,  and  a  thrill  of  delight  flashes 
through  every  nerve  as  she  hears  it. 

"  Forgive  me,  forgive  me,  Miss  Gracie.  I  had  no 
right;  I  did  not  mean  to  let  such  a  speech  escape 
me " 

"  I  do  not  blame  you.  It  was — why — everybody  re 
marks  it,  I  suppose,"  she  broke  forth  desperately,  in 
coherently;  "but  the  fault  is  not  mine."  And  once 
again  the  shapely  head  drooped  upon  her  breast. 

"  Then  it  does  not  mean  that  he  is  foremost  in 

ISTo.  Do  not  answer  me  until  you  hear  more.  I  have 
no  right  to  question."  He  spoke  hurriedly  and  low. 
Then  with  a  sudden  gesture  he  threw  back  his  proud 
head  and  stood  gallantly  before  her.  "  It  is  your  right 
to  know  my  reasons,  to  know  why  I  so  far  forgot  my- 


252  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

self  as  to  speak  of  such  a  thing  as  Mr.  Glenham's  re 
lations  with  yourself.  I  had  not  thought  to  startle  you 
so  rudely,  but,  come  what  may,  I  can  brook  this  uncer 
tainty  no  longer,  for,  with  all  my  heart  and  soul,  I  lova 
you,  I  love  you." 

Both  her  slender  hands  are  resting  on  the  table  now, 
as  once  again  he  bends  eagerly  over  her.  The  room 
seems  whirling  round.  She  has  heard,  and  a  glorious, 
thrilling  joy  has  seized  upon  her.  She  cannot  speak. 
She  dare  not  raise  her  eyes  to  his,  yet  she  can  almost 
hear  the  throbbing  of  his  strong  heart,  and  it  finds  its 
echo  in  her  own.  The  next  instant  she  knows  that  his 
firm  hand  is  clasped  upon  hers;  that  he  is  waiting, 
waiting  for  her  words.  Slowly  she  lifts  her  queenly 
head,  not  yet  daring  to  look  up  into  the  fervent  love  in 
the  dark  eyes  gazing  so  yearningly  upon  her.  She 
tries  to  speak,  but  all  too  late.  Back  from  the  dining- 
room,  jubilant,  beaming,  absolutely  detestable  in  his 
exuberant  good  spirits  and  undesirable  presence,  comes 
Mr.  Kay. 

"  It's  all  right,  Jack ;  the  colonel  says  that  Glen  ham 
may  go  with  us  provided  Captain  Canker  will  permit. 
Use  your  influence  with  him  like  a  good  fellow.  Let's 
go  and  see  him  now."  Then  Mr.  Ray  falters.  He 
has  had  time  to  note  the  surging  color  in  Miss  Pelham's 
temples,  the  deep  glow  in  Truscott's  eyes,  the  unmis 
takable  embarrassment  of  the  former,  the  preternatural 
gravity  of  the  latter.  "  Oh !"  he  continues,  irrele 
vantly,  as  the  gladness  suddenly  dies  from  his  face 
and  a  wistful  expression  takes  its  place.  "  You  have 
a  raft  of  other  things  to  attend  to,  I  suppose.  I'll 
go;  and  I  won't  say  good-by  now,  Miss  Pelham.' 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  253 

With  that  he  vanishes,  and  the  colonel  himself  ap 
pears. 

"  It  seems  that  Glenham  is  eager  to  go  with  Tanner's 
command,  Truscott,  so  if  Captain  Canker  has  no  ob 
jections  I  shall  detail  him."  He  faltered  a  bit,  look 
ing  somewhat  nervously  at  Grace's  brilliant  color  as  he 
spoke,  but  her  cheek  never  paled,  as  he  half  expected 
to  see  it.  "  You  might  see  Glenham  and  Canker  also," 
he  continued,  and  the  adjutant  promptly  took  his 
forage-cap.  Grace  glanced  hurriedly,  timidly  up  into 
his  face  as  he  half  turned  towards  the  door,  then  im 
pulsively  extended  her  hand.  One  instant  they  met, 
the  strong,  sinewy  brown  hand  and  hers,  so  white  and 
fragile.  One  instant  she  looked  up  into  his  eyes,  and 
then  with  wild,  exultant,  joyous  heart,  he  hastened  on 
his  mission.  In  that  thrilling  instant  he  had  read  his 
answer,  and  was  satisfied. 

Meantime,  where  was  Arthur  Glenham,  and  how  was 
it  that  during  this  entire  day  he  had  not  once  appeared 
at  the  colonel's  quarters  ? 

During  the  troop  drill  of  the  morning  Mr.  Ray,  dis 
mounting  his  men  for  a  five  minutes'  rest  after  a  half- 
hour  of  sharp  exercise,  was  occupying  himself  in  a 
comparison  of  the  different  company  commanders. 
Well  over  to  the  west  of  the  plain  Captain  Turner's 
chestnut  sorrels  and  Tanner's  bright  bays  were  having 
an  enlivening  though  impromptu  competitive  drill. 
It  was  pretty  generally  conceded  that  these  two  troops 
were  very  evenly  matched,  and,  except  among  the  par 
tisans  of 'other  companies,  it  was  as  generally  agreed 
that  they  were  much  ahead  of  the  rest  of  the  regiment 
in  point  of  snap  and  style  in  drill.  Both  captains  were 

22 


254  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

fine  instructors  and  individually  liked  and  respected  by 
their  men ;  whereas  Canker,  who  really  had  enjoyed 
finer  opportunities  for  keeping  his  men  up  to  a  moder 
ate  degree  of  proficiency,  never  could  succeed  in  making 
anything  out  of  them.  He  studied  hard,  he  worked 
faithfully,  he  even  furtively  watched  the  methods  of 
such  officers  as  Tanner  and  Truscott,  and  strove  to 
profit  by  what  he  learned  in  this  way ;  but  the  cavalry 
officer  is  born,  not  made ;  and,  handicapped  as  he  was 
with  the  disadvantages  of  a  bad  seat,  a  bad  hand,  and 
a  very  bad  temper,  Canker  found  it  all  up-hill  work. 
He  had  fine  material  in  his  company,  but  was  desper 
ately  unpopular  among  them,  so  much  so  that  none 
would  re-enlist  with  him  on  the  expiration  of  their 
terms  of  service,  but  would  "take  on,"  as  they  ex 
pressed  it,  with  other  troops,  notably  Tanner's  and 
Turner's.  Ray's,  too,  was  a  favorite  command  since 
he  had  been  placed  in  charge ;  but  its  captain,  now  on 
recruiting  service,  had  been  very  inefficient,  and  since 
his  departure  much  of  its  time  had  been  spent  in 
mountain-scouting,  where  drills  were  unknown  and 
discipline  lax.  It  was  Canker's  habit,  when  betrayed 
into  speaking  of  the  matter  at  all,  to  say  that  "the 
secret  of  the  superiority  of  Tanner's  company  was  that 
he  got  his  best  men  from  me ;"  but  in  the  depths  of 
his  heart  he  knew  that  statement  to  be  absurd.  It  did 
not  help  him  much  to  hear,  as  he  did  hear,  in  the  inex 
plicable  way  in  which  such  things  are  brought  to  our 
ears  (who  was  it  that  said  no  man  ever  yet  was  so  poor 
but  that  he  had  friends  to  tell  him  unpleasant  truths 
about  himself,  or  words  to  that  effect?)  that  his  men 
said  that  all  thev  needed  to  make  them  the  best-drilled 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  255 

troop  in  the  — th  was  to  have  a  captain  who  was  ca 
pable  of  teaching  them  something.  Altogether,  drill- 
time  was  a  sort  of  purgatory  to  both  officers  and  men 
in  Canker's  troop,  and  this  morning  was  no  exception. 
Ray  quickly  marked  the  sullen  look  of  the  faces  along 
the  line  as  they  came  trotting  past  him,  the  horses 
seeming  as  worried  and  jaded  as  the  men ;  and  as  they 
halted  and  dismounted  near  him,  it  was  «asy  enough 
for  him  to  divine  that  Canker  had  been  more  than 
usually  eruptive  from  the  fact  that  Mr.  Glenham  kept 
at  a  distance  from  his  captain,  and  stood  moodily  kick 
ing  at  the  turf.  Mr.  Ray  himself,  as  has  been  hinted, 
had  spent  the  greater  part  of  the  night  in  the  card-room 
at  the  store,  to  the  detriment  of  his  pocket,  but  in  no 
wise  to  that  of  his  sunny  temperament.  He  knew  well 
that  he  had  been  vastly  in  Glenham's  way  of  late,  and 
the  consciousness  of  the  fact  made  him  all  the  more 
ready  to  condone  the  young  fellow's  distant  and  con 
strained  manner.  Just  now  the  dejection  of  Glenham's 
whole  attitude  struck  him  forcibly.  "  I  hate  to  see  him 
look  so  glum,"  he  muttered.  "  Great  Scott !  if  I  had 
half  his  money,  and  a  six-months'  leave,  and  the  wings 

of  a  dove,  I'd  be  off  for  the  States  so  quick  that 

Hold  on ;  would  I,  though,  so  long  as  she  is  here  ? 
That's  where  he's  anchored;  where  I'd  be,  too,  if  I 
had  the  ghost  of  a  show.  ?Pon  my  soul,  I  believe  I'll 
go  and  give  him  a  lift  after  drill."  And  with  another 
lingering  look  at  his  unconscious  comrade,  who  had  by 
this  time  thrown  himself  prone  upon  the  ground,  Mr. 
Ray  remounted,  and  presently  his  animated  voice  was 
heard  glibly  expounding  on  the  text  of  "centre  for 
ward." 


256  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

Drill  over,  he  sought  Glenham's  quarters,  and  found 
the  junior  officer  kicking  off  boots  and  spurs  in  the 
rear  room.  There  was  no  especial  cordiality  or  welcome 
in  the  latter's  voice  as  he  said,  "  That  you,  Ray?  Sit 
down.  I'll  be  there  in  a  moment." 

"  No  hurry,  Glenham,"  replied  the  other,  with  breezy 
good  nature.  "  I  want  to  glance  over  Truscott's  Nation.. 
Got  anything  to  drink?" 

"  There's  bottled  beer  in  the  sideboard,  but  I'm  afraid 
it's  too  warm.  Jack  has  some  undeniable  whiskey,  if 
you  prefer  that." 

"Where's  it  at?"  said  Mr.  Ray,  briefly,  and  falling 
unconsciously  into  the  vernacular  of  the  Blue-Grass 
region. 

"  Lower  shelf.  There's  bitters  and  sugar  somewhere 
there,  unless  Bucketts  cleaned  us  out  last  night.  He 
and  Jack  were  owling.  Excuse  me,  please,  Ray;  I 
can't." 

"  Sensible  boy !  May  you  never  know  what  it  is  to 
feel  a  hankering  for  a  cocktail !"  And  the  tinkle  of 
glass  and  stirring  of  spoon  indicated  that  the  gentleman 
from  Kentucky  was  preparing  some  such  beverage  on 
his  own  account. 

Presently  Glenham  emerged  from  his  bedroom  and 
found  Ray  placidly  smoking,  stretched  at  full  length 
in  Truscott's  great  canvas  chair. 

"  Glenham,"  said  he,  "  I've  come  in  to  talk  with  you 
a  while.  I'm  no  hand  at  beating  round  the  bush,  and 
want  to  go  straight  at  it.  Are  you  busy  ?'" 

"  No,"  said  Glenham,  hesitatingly. 

"  Then  sit  down ;  I  won't  keep  you  long."  And 
Glenham  wonderingly  obeyed 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  257 

For  a  moment  there  was  silence,  Kay  puffing  nerv 
ously  at  his  pipe.  Then  he  laid  it  upon  the  table  an<l 
leaned  forward. 

"  Glenham,"  he  spoke,  and  his  voice  was  singularly 
soft  and  gentle,  almost  as  though  he  were  speaking  to  a 
woman.  "  I  think  a  misunderstanding  worse  than  an 
open  rupture ;  and  for  some  time  past,  you  who  used  to 
like  me  better,  I  believe,  than  you  did  any  man  in  the 
regiment  but  Truscott,  have  been  cold  and  constrained 
in  your  manner  towards  me.  I  am  not  going  to  ask 
you  why.  I  know  well  enough,  and  I  don't  blame 
you.  Whatever  may  be  the  result  of  what  I  have  to 
say  to  you,  there  shall  be  no  excuse  for  further  misun 
derstanding.  It  may  not  result  in  the  restoration  of 
your  friendship  for  me,  but  it  will  relieve  you  from 
any  indecision  or  embarrassment.  Pardon  me,  now,  if 
I  speak  of  a  very  delicate  matter.  We  all  know  that 
you  are  very  much  attached  to  Miss  Pel  ham.  Indeed, 
there  are  not  lacking  those  who  say  that  you  are  actu 
ally  engaged  to  her.  If  this  be  true,  I  cannot  excuse 
my  conduct  in  the  least.  ("  It  is  not  true/7  said  Glen- 
ham,  shading  his  face  with  his  hand.)  But  up  to  last 
evening  I  thought  it  a  matter  in  which — in  which  we 
— well,  I  thought  it  was  a  free-for-all  race,  owners  up, 
and  it  might  be  a  fair  field  and  no  favor."  He  finished 
abruptly  and  in  evident  great  embarrassment.  Then 
he  rose  and  commenced  pacing  the  floor. 

"  Hang  it,  Glenham  !  if  I  am  clumsy  in  my  language 
it's  because — because  the  thing  has  struck  nearer  home 
than  you  imagine.  I  admired  her  from  the  very  first, 
but  I  did  not  know  what  it  meant  until — until  she 
nearly  slipped  from  her  horse  yesterday  and  fainted. 
r  22* 


258  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

(Glenham  winced  as  though  stung,  but  still  sat  in  si 
lence.)  I  did  not  know  what  it  meant  to  me,  I  did  not 
know  what  it  meant  to  you  until  she  lay  there  so  white 
and  still,  and  you  rode  up  with  a  face  as  white  as  her 
own.  Last  night  my  eyes  were  further  opened.  I 
won't  tell  you  how ;  it  isn't  necessary.  Only  this,  Glen- 
ham  :  if  you  think  my  conduct  has  been  unfair  or  un 
friendly,  you  can  afford  to  forget  it  and  forgive  it  now, 
when  I  tell  you  that  I  have  no  earthly  hope  in  the 
matter,  and  that  even  if  it  were  possible  for  me  to  win 
a  thought  from  her  beyond — beyond  frank,  friendly 
liking  or  gratitude  possibly  for  the  simple  piece  of 
luck  yesterday,  I  wv>uld  be  a  whelp  to  try  and  do  it. 
Why,  Glenham,  I  haven't  a  cent  in  the  world ;  I'm 
swamped  in  debt.  What,  in  God's  name,  have  I  to 
offer  her  ?  Last  night  I  left  her  house  perfectly  satis 
fied  of  two  things, — that  she  was  the  dearest  thing  on 
earth  to  me,  and  that  I  wasn't  worth  two  straws  to  her 
or  anybody  else,  probably.  I  haven't  had  a  happy 
night  of  it,  man.  I  saw  clear  enough  what  was  before 
me,  and  I  went  down  and  played  poker  all  night  nearly 
to  keep  from  thinking  of  the  thing,  as  though  that 
would  do  any  good.  It  has  just  come  to  this,  Glen 
ham  :  I've  got  to  get  away  from  here,  and  I'm  going. 
I  can't  win — I'm  not  worth  the  love  of  that  sweet  girl, 
and  I  won't  stand  in  the  way  of  a  man  who  is  worthy 
and  can.  When  I  watched  you  at  drill  this  morning 
it  all  came  over  me,  how  you  must  have  been  cut  up 
by  my  goings  on."  And  now  Ray's  voice  was  trem 
bling,  and  a  suspicious  moisture  was  gathering  in  his 
eyes.  "Arthur,  because  I'm  not  worth  a  woman's 
love  you  need  not  think  me  unworthy  a  man's  friend- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  259 

ship.  Forgive  me  for  the  trouble  I've  caused  you, 
old  fellow,  and  let  us  be  friends  again." 

"  Ray,  I — I  beg  your  pardon  !"  exclaimed  Glenham, 
springing  from  his  seat,  dashing  his  hand  across  his 
eyes  and  seizing  the  outstretched  gauntlet.  "  I  was  a 
fool,  I  suppose.  Everything  seemed  going  against  me. 
I  thought — hang  it !  I  think  now  that  there  was  no 
chance  for  me.  It  turned  me  against  everybody,  T 
suppose." 

"  Well,  this  ends  the  turn  against  me,  does  it  not  ?" 
said  Ray,  with  a  wintry,  cheerless  smile,  but  still  grasp 
ing  cordially  the  hand  of  his  friend.  "  Fll  soon  be 
out  of  your  way,  and  she'll  forget  my — my  ebullition 
of  yesterday,  if  indeed  she  heard  it  at  all." 

"  Why  do  you  go  at  all,  Ray  ?     What  is  that  for  ?" 

"  Because  then  I'll  get  away  from  seeing  her  every 
day  or  hour.  Lord,  hoAV  I  wish  there  were  a  scout  or 
a  shindy  !  There's  going  to  be  a  horse-board  mighty 
soon,  and  Wickham  or  Bright  will  help  me  on  to  that. 
It's  the  only  thing  I  know  anything  about.  So  now, 
I'm  off."  And  he  turned  to  the  door  despite  Glen- 
ham's  efforts  to  detain  him.  There  he  turned  again, 
and,  with  a  resumption  of  his  old  light,  reckless  man 
ner,  exclaimed, — 

"  'Pon  my  word,  I  feel  more  like  a  Christian  since 
we've  had  this  short  talk  than  I  have  in  months.  Ar 
thur,  you  have  my  blessing.  Go  in  and  win.  That's 
what  I'll  do,  too, — down  at  the  store.  Lucky  at  cards, 
unlucky  in  love,  you  know.  The  Prescott  crowd 
rather  scooped  me  last  night,  and  I'll  go  down  and 
give  them  a  riffle  now." 

"  Then  hold  on  one  moment,  Ray.    I  mean  to  drink 


260  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

your  health,  if  it  is  against  my  rules.  It's  nothing  but 
sherry,  but  it's  sherry  you'll  like."  And  from  a  locker 
he  produced  a  brown,  portly  bottle  and  some  fragile 
glasses.  "These  only  come  out  on  swell  occasions, 
Ray,  but — this  is  one  I'll  never  forget." 

"  Never  mind  that,  Glenham.  Here's  happiness  and 
success  to  you.  Your  devotion  deserves  it." 

"  Do  you  know,  Ray,  that's  just  what  gets  me,"  said 
the  junior,  slaugily,  but  with  sad  earnestness,  as  he 
set  down  his  half-emptied  glass.  "Devotion  don't 
seem  to  do  any  good.  I  almost — I  almost  believe  I've 
been  an  abject  slave  since  she — since  Miss  Pelham 
came  out.  It  hurts  me  somehow." 

For  a  moment  Ray  hesitated.  Then  he  too  set  down 
his  wine-glass  and  pondered  a  few  seconds,  looking  the 
while  at  the  trouble  in  Glenham's  face.  At  last  he 
broke  forth, — 

"  I  don't  know  what  you'll  think  of  what  I  say,  but 
'pon  my  word,  Glenham,  I  believe  you've  hit  on  the 
truth.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  being  too  devoted,  in 
my  opinion.  Look  here  !  Did  you  see  Truscott  catch 
that  rascal  of  a  Ranger  yesterday  ?  You,  you  remem 
ber,  went  galloping  after  him  wherever  he  went;  you 
were  all  eagerness  and  excitement,  just  bent  on  catching 
the  scamp ;  he  saw  it,  knew  it,  and  it  was  just  fun  to 
him  to  lead  you  a  race.  Then  Truscott  hauled  you  off 
and  took  the  chase  instead,  and  see  how  he  managed  it. 
He  just  let  on  to  Ranger  that  he  didn't  care  a  cuss 
whether  he  was  loose  or  not, — might  run  to  Halifax 
for  all  he'd  do  to  stop  him;  he  just  rides  off  to  one 
side,  and  sure  as  a  gun  the  horse  turns  right  round 
and  goes  running  up  to  inquire  what  such  indifference 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  26 1 

means.  I  tell  you,  Glenham,  lots  of  women  are  just 
like  horses;  that  is,  the  nice  ones  are,  and  I'm  paying 
some  of  them  a  high  compliment  in  saying  so.  Just  so 
long  as  you  go  tagging  round  after  one  she'll  lead  you 
a  dance  all  over  creation ;  it's  all  fun  to -her :  she's  sure 
of  you,  you  know ;  but  haul  off  for  a  while  and  leave 
her  to  herself,  and  let  on  that  you've  tired  of  that  sort 
of  thing  and  mean  to  swear  off,  you'll  find  that  it  will 
bring  her  round  if  she  cares  anything  whatever  for 
you.  If  she  doesn't,  why,  the  sooner  you  know  it  the 
better.  Now  I've  been  preaching,  I  suppose,  but  you 
try  it.  Get  every  scouting  detail  you  can ;  don't  mope 
around  the  post.  Now  forgive  my  bhmtness,  Glen- 
ham,  and — and  good  luck,  old  fellow." 

With  that  he  was  gone. 

Some  hours  later  Glenham's  servant  entered  and 
stood  hesitatingly  at  the  doorway.  Glenham  looked 
up  from  his  writing.  "  What  is  it?"  he  asked. 

"  Big  scout  going  out,  sir, — two  companies ;  but  it 
ain't  our  fellows." 

Down  went  pen  and  desk  upon  the  floor,  and,  seizing 
his  forage-cap,  Glenham  rushed  forth  in  search  of  Ray 
and  Truscott.  Failing  to  find  the  adjutant  at  the  office 
he  hurried  to  Ray's  camp,  where  that  young  gentleman 
was  rubbing  head,  chest,  and  arms  into  a  glow  after  a 
cold  bath. 

"  Come  right  in,  Glenham.  Didn't  I  say  the  luck 
was  bound  to  turn  ?  or  did  I  prudently  refrain  for  fear 
it  wouldn't  ?  This  is  going  to  be  the  boss  scout  of  the 
season,  and  now's  your  chance.  I  wouldn't  miss  it  for 
six  months'  pay,  and  the  Lord  only  knows  what  I 
wouldn't  do  for  that  in  spot  cash." 


262  THE   COLONEL1  S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"  Just  what  I  came  to  see  you  about,  Ray.  Do  you 
think  you  can  get  the  colonel  to  let  me  go  with  you  ?" 

"  I'll  try  it,  anyhow.  He  will  like  you  all  the  better 
for  wanting  to  go.  I  was  struck  all  of  a  heap  for  a 
minute  when  Truscott  came  down  to  warn  me ;  but  even 
poker  pales  before  a  chance  like  this." 

"  How'd  you  come  out  ?"  asked  Glenham. 

"  Nearly  even,  after  all ;  and  I'd  have  knocked  some 
of  those  fellows  endwise  if  there  had  been  a  little  more 
time.  I  was  just  hauling  in  the  pots  when  Jack  called 
me  out." 

Ten  minutes  afterwards  Hay  departed  on  his  mission 
to  the  colonel's,  with  what  success  has  already  been 
seen.  Then  a  visit  to  Captain  Canker  had  been  in 
order,  and  there  too  the  diplomatic  Ray,  after  a  long 
conversation,  had  carried  his  point,  for  Canker  was  one 
of  those  peculiar  company  commanders  (and  there  are 
many  who  in  this  respect  strongly  resemble  him)  by 
whom  the  subalterns  attached  to  his  troop  are  regarded 
as  a  species  of  personal  property,  and  it  was  not  to  be 
supposed  that  such  a  concession  as  was  asked  for  Mr. 
Glenham  could  be  granted  without  much  demur  and 
without  a  long  dissertation,  in  which  his  shortcomings 
as  a  subaltern,  and  his  captain's  long  suffering,  patience, 
and  consideration  as  a  commander,  formed  the  subject 
of  the  monologue.  Ray  listened  with  exemplary  do 
cility,  and  Truscott,  who  had  come  in  to  assist  accord 
ing  to  the  colonel's  directions,  found  that  matters  were 
progressing  favorably  under  Ray's  management,  and 
went  off  to  see  Glenham  himself.  Meantime  stable- 
call  had  sounded,  and  all  the  officers  were  flocking 
thither,  when  Mrs.  Raymond's  negro  servant  came 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  263 

the  parade.  He  handed  Glenham  a 
note,  which  the  young  officer  opened,  glanced  at  the 
single  line  which  formed  its  contents,  changed  color, 
paused  irresolutely,  and  then  turned  and  walked  hur 
riedly  back  to  Captain  Raymond's  quarters.  At  the 
door  he  was  met  by  Mrs.  Pelham,  who  eagerly  beck 
oned  him  in.  Ten  minutes  after  he  appeared  at  stables, 
and  with  painfully  embarrassed  manner  accosted  Trus- 
cott,  who  was  at  the  instant  conversing  with  Canker, 
while  the  colonel  with  several  officers  were  entering 
the  "  corral"  of  Tanner's  troop. 

"  Jack,  can  I  see  you  a  moment  ?" 

"  Excuse  me,  captain,"  said  Truscott ;  then  stepping 
to  one  side  with  Glenham,  and  noting  with  surprise  the 
changing  color  and  downcast  eye  of  his  friend,  "What 
is  it,  Arthur  ?  Anything  wrong  ?"  he  asked,  kindly. 

"Is  the  order  issued  yet  for  me  to  go  with  this 
scout  ?" 

"  Not  yet.  It  will  be  right  after  stables.  Dana  goes 
too." 

"  Jack,  I  can't — go/' 

For  a  moment  there  was  dead  silence.  Then  Trus- 
cott  spoke, — 

"  You  know  your  own  business  best,  Glenham ;  but 
did  you  not  ask  Kay  to  see  the  colonel  and  get  you 
detailed?" 

"I  did;  yes.  I — I  cannot  explain  it,  but  I've 
changed  my  mind.  Something  I  had  not  foreseen 
"  He  broke  off  abruptly,  utterly  unable  to  con 
tinue,  and  without  another  word  turned  and  walked 
hurriedly  into  the  stable  enclosure. 

"  What's  the  matter  with  Glenham  ?"  asked  Canker. 


264  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"  He  has  felt  compelled  to  change  his  mind,  and  says 
that  he  cannot  go,"  replied  Truscott,  loyally  striving  to 
smooth  matters  as  much  as  possible  for  his  friend. 
"  Fve  no  doubt  he  has  very  weighty  reasons."  And 
with  that  he  went  to  join  the  colonel. 

Soon  after  retreat  that  evening,  while  yet  the  lin 
gering  hues  of  crimson  and  royal  purple  mantled  the 
jagged  rocks  that  hemmed  in  the  valley  from  the  east, 
a  busy  throng  had  gathered  in  the  open  space  between 
the  quarters  and  the  stables.  Drawn  up  in  single  rank 
were  the  horses  of  the  two  companies, — Tanner's  and 
Ray's, — while  the  men  in  their  rough  and  serviceable 
scouting-dress  were  nimbly  darting  about  their  steeds, 
tightening  "cinches,"  or  more  snugly  strapping  the 
blankets  or  canteens  that  swung  on  the  saddles.  A 
little  distance  away,  huddled  together  in  silence,  were 
the  Apache  scouts  who  were  to  accompany  the  com 
mand,  and  behind  them  all,  scattered  here  and  there 
over  the  sandy  level,  or  clustering  about  the  bell-horse 
of  the  half-breed  leader,  were  the  hardy,  devil-may- 
care-looking  little  pack-mules. 

Thronging  about  in  their  undress  uniforms  and  over 
coats  (for  die  December  air  was  chill)  were  the  men  of 
the  four  troops  who  were  not  so  lucky  as  to  be  of  the 
detail,  all  envious  of  their  departing  comrades,  and, 
soldier-like,  nearly  all  indulging  in  much  good-humored 
chaff  at  the  expense  of  the  envied  ones. 

"It's  old  Skinnin'  Jim  ye're  after  this  time,  Micky. 
Luk  out  fur  that  beautiful  crop  o'  yours."  An  allu 
sion  to  the  vivid  hirsute  adornment  of  Private  Michael 
Mulligan  that  called  forth  a  roar  of  applause.  "  Will 
ye  lave  me  your  boots,  Hoolihan  ?  It's  the  other  end 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  265 

of  ye  that'll  need  a  bomb-proof."  "  Don't  you  get 
kilt,  Kelly;  it'll  ruin  the  sutler  entirely/'  etc.  All 
of  which  seemed  to  give  infinite  delight  to  the  sur 
rounding  crowd,  and  not  at  all  to  discompose  the  mar 
tial  objects  of  the  sallies. 

Presently  Lieutenants  Ray  and  Dana  rode  up  and 
commenced  a  leisurely  inspection  of  their  commands, 
putting  an  end  to  the  fun  and  laughter.  Darkness 
was  beginning  to  settle  down  upon  the  garrison,  and 
lanterns  were  called  into  requisition.  Presently  again 
there  appeared  a  large  party,  at  sight  of  whom  the 
men  respectfully  drew  back  right  and  left,  and,  escorted 
by  a  number  of  officers,  Mrs.  Raymond,  Mrs.  Turner, 
the  inevitable  Mrs.  Wilkins,  and  several  others  un 
named  in  our  chronicle  made  their  appearance  upon 
the  scene,  all  intent  upon  giving  the  command  a 
cheery  God-speed  upon  its  mission.  Then  came  the 
colonel  with  Grace  leaning  upon  his  arm,  and  instantly 
she  was  swallowed  up  in  the  group  of  ladies,  and  for  the 
time  being  deprived  of  all  opportunity  of  seeing  what 
was  going  on.  She  was  aware  of  the  fact  that  Mr. 
Kay  was  standing  near  her  laughingly  chatting  with 
some  of  the  ladies,  and  that  Mr.  Dana  was  waiting  for 
a  chance  to  put  in  a  word,  but  Mrs.  Turner  really 
hadn't  seen  anything  of  her  for  an  age,  and  Mrs.  Ray 
mond  had  certainly  thought  she  meant  to  cut  her  ac 
quaintance,  and  Mrs.  Wilkins  was  dying  to  know  why 
Mrs.  Pelham  didn't  come  out  to  give  the  boys  a  send- 
off,  and  between  the  three  matrons  and  the  two  or  three 
damsels  hovering  about,  all  talking  at  once  as  was  their 
wont,  or  treading  on  the  heels  of  one  another's  sen 
tences,  Grace  was  in  such  dire  confusion  that  she  would 
M  23 


266  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

have  turned  gladly  to  Ray  or  Dana  for  relief,  when 
dead  silence  fell  upon  all  as  Mrs.  Wilkins's  voice  pro 
pounded  the  query, — 

"  But  where's  little  Glenham  ?  I  thought  he  was  to 
go  along."  And  then  all  feminine  eyes  were  fixed  upon 
Grace. 

Kay  noted  it,  quick  as  a  flash,  and  came  to  the  res 
cue.  "Hadn't  you  heard,  Mrs.  Wilkins?"  he  said, 
with  a  tone  of  weary  indifference,  indicative  of  a  de 
sire  to  drop  the  subject.  "  The  order  was  not  issued  at 
all."  And  then,  laughingly,  "  Miss  Pelham,  am  I  not 
to  be  allowed  the  customary  luxury  of  last  words  be 
fore  going  forth  to  deeds  of  derring  do  ?  I  want  you 
to  see  my  troop,  anyhow."  And  with  quiet  determi 
nation  he  took  her  hand,  placed  it  within  his  arm,  and 
led  her  out  of  the  inquisitive  group. 

"  Is  Mr.  Glenham  not  going  ?"  she  gasped,  the  in 
stant  they  were  beyond  ear-shot. 

"  Mr.  Glenham  is  not  going,"  he  answered,  in  a  low, 
measured  tone. 

"Why?" 

"  He  merely  writes  that  an  utterly  unforeseen  cir 
cumstance  has  induced  him  to  change  his  mind.  I 
have  not  seen  him ;  he  did  not  come  to  dinner."  And 
wonderingly  he  looked  into  her  face.  It  was  evident 
that  she  had  heard  the  news  for  the  first  time,  and  was 
more  than  perplexed. 

"  I  hope  you  will  keep  up  your  riding,  Miss  Pel- 
ham,  while  we  are  away.  Tanner  tells  me  that  he 
leaves  Ranger  here,"  said  Ray,  considerately,  desirous 
of  changing  the  subject. 

"Yes;   so  Mr.  Hunter  told  me.     Where  is  Cap- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  267 

tain  Tanner  ?     I  want  to  thank  him  and  to  say  good- 
by." 

"  Not  here  yet,  and  time's  up,  too.  But  I  fancy  it  was 
hard  lines  saying  good-by  to  Mrs.  Tanner  and  little 
Rosalie.  Here  they  come,  though,  Tanner  and  Truscott 
both."  And  as  he  spoke  two  tall,  manly  forms  passed 
them  in  the  gathering  darkness  and  approached  the 
colonel.  "  We'll  be  off  in  a  minute,  Miss  Gracie,"  said 
Ray,  and  his  voice  lowered.  "  Wish  me  good  luck." 

She  felt  that  his  hand,  now  clasping  hers,  was  trem 
bling.  She  knew  with  all  her  woman's  intuition  that 
with  all  his  forced  gayety  of  manner  this  parting  was 
no  easy  one  to  him.  She  liked  him  well,  and  felt 
grateful  for  the  tact  that  he  had  shown,  more  than 
grateful  for  the  skill  and  gallantry  with  which  he  had 
so  recently  rescued  her  from  a  probable  fate;  but 
though  her  heart  beat  throbbingly  at  the  moment,  if 
was  not  for  him;  and  the  deep,  dark,  glorious  eyes 
looked  beyond,  though  only  in  one  furtive  glance,  and 
sought  the  taller  of  the  two  forms  now  standing  by  her 
father's  side.  For  an  instant  she  forgot  the  young  sol 
dier  standing  patiently  before  her.  "  Good-by,  Miss 
Gracie,"  he  gently  said;  then  with  quick,  impulsive 
movement  raised  her  hand  to  his  lips,  turned,  and 
sprang  to  his  horse.  The  next  moment  he  was  in 
saddle  in  front  of  his  troop,  and  she  had  not  even  an 
swered  him.  Irresolute  she  stood  a  moment,  then  she 
saw  her  father  shake  Tanner  warmly  by  the  hand,  and 
the  latter,  putting  his  arm  through  Truscott's,  drew  him 
to  one  side.  She  joined  the  colonel. 

"  Papa,  I  want  to  speak  to  Mr.  Ray ;  I  haven't 
hade  him  good-by.  Come  with  me." 


268  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"  Why,  certainly,  daughter,"  he  answered,  as  he  led 
her  rapidly  towards  the  spot  where  the  lieutenant, 
seated  on  his  horse,  was  addressing  some  words  to  one 
of  his  sergeants.  "  Here,  Ray,  my  boy,  Grace  wants 
to  say  good-by."  And  Ray  was  off  his  horse  and  on 
his  feet  beside  her  in  less  than  a  second. 

"  You  know  I  wish  you  all  success  and  a  speedy  and 
safe  return,  Mr.  Ray,"  she  said,  as  she  held  forth  her 
hand.  "  You  will  not  like  it,  of  course,  if  I  say  that 
I  almost  hope  you  won't  see  an  Indian  the  whole  time 
you  are  away." 

"  That  would  be  the  worst  kind  of  luck,  Miss  Gracie. 
Ah,  Jack,  is  that  you  ?  What !  good-by  already  ?  I 
thought  you  would  see  us  off." 

"So  I  had  intended,"  said  the  deep  voice  she  had 
learned  to  know  so  well,  as  Truscott  suddenly  appeared 
at  her  side.  "  Good-evening,  Miss  Grace.  I  had  prom 
ised  myself  the  pleasure  of  escorting  you  out  to  see  the 
start,  but  found  that  you  had  already  gone.  Ray,  I 
have  to  attend  to  something  for  Tanner.  Good-by  and 
good  luck,  old  fellow."  And  with  a  warm  clasp  of  the 
hand  for  him,  and  uplifted  cap  and  courteous  bow  for 
her,  he  hurried  away.  Then  came  the  ringing  trumpet- 
call,  and  Tanner's  soldierly  voice  ordering  "mount." 
The  colonel  drew  his  daughter  swiftly  back,  the  men 
swung  into  saddle,  reformed  ranks,  and  the  next  instant 
were  marching  off  in  column  of  fours  down  the  slope 
to  the  south.  There  was  no  cheering,  no  noise,  or  con 
fusion.  In  silent  array  they  disappeared  in  the  dark 
ness,  and  the  throng  of  spectators  broke  up  and  wan 
dered  homewards.  For  a  few  moments  Grace  was 
detained  by  her  father,  who  was  talking  with  Major 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  269 

Buckette,  and  several  of  the  ladies  compelled  their 
escorts  to  wait  until  she  should  be  ready  to  start.  Then, 
as  they  walked  across  the  parade  in  a  group,  there  were 
many  invitations  to  come  and  sit  a  while  on  this  and 
that  piazza,  but  Grace  desired  to  see  what  had  become 
of  her  mother,  and  so  declined.  Mr.  Hunter  was  walk 
ing  beside  her,  and  escorted  her  to  the  door.  "Do 
come  out  again,  Miss  Pelham,  and  walk  out  on  the 
bluff  with  me.  We  can  hear  them  as  they  ford  the 
stream,"  he  urged.  She  ran  tip-stairs,  knocked  at  her 
mother's  door.  A  peevish  voice  bade  her  enter,  and 
she  found  her  ladyship  stretched  upon  the  bed  with  her 
night-lamp  on  the  table.  "  You  are  not  well,  mother?" 
she  asked,  gently. 

"  I  am  worried  half  to  death,  and  have  a  splitting 
headache,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Can  I  do  nothing  for  you  ?  Can  I  not  help  you  at 
all?" 

"You  could  help  me  vastly  by  coming  to  your  senses. 
Otherwise  not,"  was  the  ungracious  reply,  and  her  lady 
ship  tossed  impatiently  over  on  her  side. 

Grace  hesitated  one  moment;  then  saying,  quietly, 
"  I  will  soon  return  to  you,  mother,"  left  the  room. 

Mr.  Hunter  was  waiting  for  her.  Together  they 
strolled  out  in  the  starlight  towards  the  edge  of  the 
bluff  in  rear  of  the  officers'  quarters.  As  they  neared 
the  slope  Grace  became  aware  of  two  figures  dimly 
visible  standing  just  before  them ;  one  tall,  stalwart, 
soldierly,  the  other  a  slender,  graceful,  womanly  form. 
She  knew  both  at  a  glance,  and  stopped  short.  As  she 
did  so,  loud,  ringing,  and  clear,  the  trumpet  signal — 
first  call  for  tattoo — rose  on  the  air.  Her  companion 

23* 


270  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;  OR, 

looked  down  in  surprise  at  her  abrupt  stop,  but  she 
never  heeded  him.  Her  eyes  were  fastened  upon  the 
pair  in  front.  Even  as  she  gazed,  even  as  the  first 
notes  of  the  call  swelled  upon  the  breeze,  she  saw  the 
woman  droop  and  sway ;  saw  him  bending  towards 
her ;  saw  him  fold  her  in  his  arms,  and  could  bear  no 
more.  "  Oh,  come  away !  come  away  !"  she  hoarsely 
whispered  to  Hunter,  and  plucking  nervously  at  his 
coat-sleeve,  turned  and  fled. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS  271 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

WHEN  Mr.  Truscott  appeared  at  breakfast  on  the 
following  morning  he  was  surprised  at  the  extremely 
cold  manner  in  which  Mr.  Hunter  returned  his  saluta 
tion.  Glenham  he  had  not  seen  at  all ;  the  boy  had 
risen  early  and  gone  off  upon  a  lonely  ride.  But  Trus 
cott  had  too  many  things  to  think  of  to  worry  over  a 
fact  that  at  another  time  would  have  attracted  his 
attention.  Glenham  had  actually  avoided  him  all  the 
previous  evening  as  well.  Bucketts,  Carroll,  Crane, 
and  the  doctor  greeted  him  as  usual,  and  went  on  with 
their  speculations  as  to  the  probable  result  of  the  scout 
just  started,  and  Truscott,  busied  in  his  own  reflections, 
thought  no  more  of  Hunter's  averted  eye.  "The 
youngster  possibly  thinks  he  ought  to  have  been  sent 
out  instead  of  Dana,  and  that  I'm  to  blame/'  was  the 
explanation  that  occurred  to  him.  "He  will  think 
better  of  it  after  a  while." 

Office-work  over,  he  rose  from  his  desk  and  went 
with  his  usual  straightforwardness  to  the  colonel's  and 
rang  at  the  bell.  "  Can  I  see  Miss  Pelham  ?"  he  asked 
of  the  servant. 

"  Miss  Pelham  is  not  able  to  leave  her  room,  say  to 
Mr.  Truscott,"  said  the  voice  of  her  ladyship,  at  the 
head  of  the  stairs. 

The  adjutant  stepped  quickly  into  the  hall  and  gazed 


272  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

aloft.  "  Miss  Pelham  is  not  seriously  ill,  I  trust/'  said 
he,  with  evident  anxiety  in  face  and  voice. 

"  She  is  far  from  well,  and  cannot  see  anybody,"  was 
the  reply,  in  a  very  stately  and  unsympathetic  tone. 

"I  am  extremely  sorry  to  hear  it,  Mrs.  Pelham. 
Please  express  to  her  my  sincere  sympathy  and  regret/' 
said  he,  and,  hearing  no  response,  reluctantly  withdrew. 
Leaving  the  house,  looking  anything  but  comforted, 
Mr.  Truscott  turned  in  at  an  adjoining  piazza,  and 
knocked  at  Captain  Tanner's  door.  While  waiting  for 
admission,  something  prompted  him  to  look  at  the  side 
window  of  the  colonel's  quarters.  As  he  did  so,  Mrs. 
Pelham  suddenly  withdrew  her  peeping  head,  but  he 
had  distinctly  seen  her.  Inquiry  of  the  answering 
Abigail  resulted  in  the  information  that  Mrs.  Tanner, 
too,  was  indisposed,  and  had  not  left  her  room.  "  But 
would  Mr.  Truscott  stop  in  by  and  by  ?"  Mr.  Truscott 
said  he  would,  and  mean  time  proceeded  to  his  own 
quarters. 

Passing  Captain  Turner's,  he  raised  his  cap  in  ac 
knowledgment  of  the  smiling  greeting  of  the  lady  of 
the  house.  She  was  eagerly  conversing  with  young 
Mr.  Hunter,  who  looked  away.  At  home  he  found 
the  house  deserted.  Glenham  had  returned  evidently, 
and  was  now  probably  engaged  in  some  of  his  company 
duties.  Truscott  unlocked  his  wardrobe  and  took  there 
from  the  pretty  whip  Grace  had  tossed  him  two  days 
before,  seated  himself  in  his  easy-chair,  and  holding  it 
in  his  hands,  gave  himself  up  to  thought.  Two  or 
three  of  the  greyhounds,  finding  the  entrance  open, 
stole  to  his  doorway  and  looked  wistfully  in,  begging 
for  an  invitation  to  come,  but  he  did  not  see  them.  An 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  273 

ambulance  rattled  past  the  house,  and  he  heard  laughter 
and  familiar  voices,  but  paid  no  attention.  For  nearly 
an  hour  he  sat  there  thinking  earnestly,  or  perhaps  at 
times  only  idly  dreaming.  At  last  he  rose,  replaced 
the  dainty  whip  in  the  wardrobe,  seated  himself  at  the 
desk,  and  wrote  a  brief  note,  closed,  sealed,  and  ad 
dressed  it  to  "  Miss  Pelham,  Camp  Sandy,"  and  as  the 
noonday  call  was  sounding  from  the  guard-house,  sent 
the  note  by  the  hands  of  the  office  orderly.  It  had 
been  a  dreary  morning  to  him,  but  it  had  been  worse 
for  Glenham. 

To  begin  with,  the  latter  felt  utterly  certain  that  the 
whole  garrison  was  talking  about  him.  He  knew  well 
that  Ray  had  told  several  officers  that  he,  Glenham, 
had  applied  to  be  ordered  out  on  the  scout.  It  was 
known  all  over  the  post  before  stable-call,  for,  had  not 
Mrs.  Pelham  heard  it  while  at  the  Raymonds  ?  and  had 
not  his  own  servant  come  in  to  know  what  things  the 
lieutenant  would  take  in  his  pack,  and  couldn't  he,  too, 
go  along  ?  And  then  at  the  eleventh  hour  he  had  most 
inexplicably  backed  out.  Full  well  he  knew  the  flood 
of  conjecture,  gossip,  and  talk  to  which  his  sudden 
change  of  mind  would  give  rise.  Full  well  he  realized 
that  among  the  officers  he  would  be  regarded  with  grave 
disappointment,  among  the  men  as  a  milksop,  and 
among  the  ladies  of  the  garrison  as  legitimate  prey  for 
all  their  questionings  and  insinuations.  The  fact  thai 
Mrs.  Raymond  was  the  only  one  who,  up  to  late  in  the 
previous  evening,  had  any  idea  of  the  real  cause  of  his 
conduct  was  not  fraught  with  especial  comfort ;  for  the 
absolute  inability  of  that  fascinating  but  volatile  young 
matron  to  keep  anything  to  herself  was  only  too  well 


274  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

appreciated  throughout  the  — th.  Within  twenty-four 
hours,  therefore,  he  counted  on  the  story  being  told  with 
a  score  of  exasperating  embellishments  all  over  the  post, 
and  was  furthermore  certain  that  the  next  day's  mail 
for  Prescott  would  go  up  laden  with  a  dozen  letters 
from  as  many  feminine  pens ;  the  story  of  his  "  break 
down" — so  he  regarded  it — being  the  one  topic.  He 
hated  himself,  hated,  or  began  to  hate,  the  woman 
whose  influence  had  brought  the  thing  about.  He  felt 
ashamed  to  look  his  colonel  in  the  face,  and  he  alone 
of  all  the  officers  of  the  post  failed  to  put  in  an  ap 
pearance  when  Tanner's  com mand  marched  away.  Nev 
ertheless,  he  was  utterly,  miserably  in  love,  poor  boy ; 
and,  like  many  another  poor  boy  under  similar  cir 
cumstances,  he  rated  ambition,  professional  pride,  the 
"  qu'en  dira-t-on  f  of  Mrs.  Grundy,  everything — any 
thing  as  naught  in  comparison  with  what  had  been  set 
before  him  as  the  inevitable  consequence  of  his  going 
away  at  this  critical  juncture, — the  loss  of  the  lady  of 
his  love. 

And  this  was  the  terrific  whip  held  over  him  by  that 
prospective  mother-in-law. 

Mrs.  Pelham  heard  the  news  of  Glenham's  applica 
tion  as  she  sat  with  Mrs.  Raymond  during  her  after 
noon  visit ;  the  captain  himself  had  come  in  with  the 
information.  Startled  as  she  was,  madame  had  kept 
her  wits  about  her,  and  even  while  conversing  with 
her  host  and  hostess  had  managed  to  review  the  situa 
tion  and  to  decide  on  her  plan  of  action.  Well  she 
knew  that,  despite  all  her  efforts  to  connect  Mr.  Trus- 
cott's  name  in  a  dishonorable  affair  with  Mrs.  Tan 
ner,  she  had  not  been  able  to  more  than  temporarily 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  275 

shake  the  confidence  in  and  respect  for  him  which  she 
saw  to  be  daily  growing  in  Grace's  heart.  She  had 
marked  all  too  plainly  the  girl's  glad  welcome  of  her 
soldierly  friend,  and  the  glow  of  happiness  in  her  face 
on  her  return  from  her  ride.  Then  there  was  this  mis 
erable  affair  of  Ralph's.  If  the  truth  concerning  that, 
were  to  leak  out  at  all,  her  hopes,  her  plans,  were 
dashed  to  earth,  for  now  she  felt  assured  that  Truscott, 
not  Glenham,  had  been  her  son's  benefactor.  Oh,  what 
an  idiotic  blunder  she  had  made  in  her  wrath  !  Why 
had  she  ever  mentioned  that  matter,  or  shown  Ralph's 
letter  to  the  colonel  ?  He  would  only  probe  it  to  the 
bottom,  find  out  that  he  was  even  more  indebted  to 
Truscott  than  he  supposed ;  then  Grace  would  be  told 
the  story,  and  that  would  be  the  end  of  everything. 
Poor  perturbed  lady !  She  could  stand  the  contem 
plation  of  such  disaster  no  longer.  Not  only  her  plans 
would  fail,  but  she  herself  must  infallibly  be  exposed 
to  the  contempt  of  her  husband  and,  perhaps,  that  of 
her  own  daughter,  for  whom  she  had  been  plotting, 
manoeuvring,  and  lying  all  this  time. 

Prompt  measures  alone  would  avail  her.  She  must 
see  Glenham,  and  see  him  at  once.  Not  at  home,  for 
there  she  knew  the  colonel,  Grace,  and  probably  others 
to  be  at  that  moment.  Mrs.  Raymond  would  befriend 
her  she  felt  sure.  What  wouldn't  that  politic  lady  do 
to  curry  favor  with  so  ruthless  an  old  agitator? 

"  I  want  to  see  Mr.  Glenham  at  once.  May  I  send 
for  him  to  come  here?"  she  hurriedly  asked. 

"Why,  of  course.  Sam  will  run  and  tell  him. 
There  goes  stable-call  now,"  said  Mrs.  Raymond. 

Her  ladyship  seized  a  scrap  of  paper.     "  Come  to 


276  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

me  instantly  at  Captain  Raymond's,"  she  wrote,  and 
away  went  Sam  with  the  brief,  mandatory  missive. 
What  need  of  explanation  ?  thought  she ;  had  he  not 
promised  to  obey  her  implicitly  ?  Quickly  as  he  came, 
he  could  hardly  come  quickly  enough.  She  met  him 
at  the  door,  and  ushered  him  into  the  vacant  parlor. 
Mrs.  Raymond  had  withdrawn,  of  course,  but,  oh, 
how  she  hoped  that  madame's  voice  would  reach  the 
adjoining  room  in  tones  so  loud  that  she  could  not  help 
hearing  ! 

But  Mrs.  Pelham  did  not  speak  loud.  In  low,  hur 
ried,  impressive  tones  she  told  Arthur  Glenham  in 
plain  words  that  his  one  chance  of  winning  Grace  lay 
in  his  remaining  at  the  garrison.  "  It  is  madness  tc 
think  of  going  now,  at  the  very  moment  when  her 
heart  is  beginning  to  feel  its  dependence  upon  you," 
she  said.  He  glanced  up  quickly,  a  wild  hope  in  his 
young  eyes.  "  I  know  it,"  she  continued.  "  She  has 
almost  confessed  as  much  to  me.  But  if  you  go,  you 
subject  her  at  once  to  the  attentions  of  a  man  who  is 
no  true  friend  of  yours,  and  whom  she  is  too  innocent 
to  fathom." 

"  What — who  do  you  mean  ?"  he  gasped. 

"  Y oar  friend,  Mr.  Truscott." 

He  started  as  though  struck.  "  I  can  believe  no 
wrong  of  Truscott,"  he  said.  "  He  is  my  most  trusted 
friend,  but  I  never  mentioned  this — this  to  him  until 
last  night." 

"  Mark  my  words,  though.  You  go  at  your  own 
risk.  Even  the  colonel  is  reluctant  to  have  you  go  now 
/shall  say  not  another  word  to  warn  you.  It  is  only 
because  of  my  promise  to  you  that  I  have  brought  my- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  277 

self  to  do  this.  If  you  love  Grace  and  would  win  her, 
stay  !  If  not,  go !" 

And  of  course  he  stayed. 

Despite  Mrs.  Pel  ham's  "worry  and  headache,"  a 
number  of  officers  and  ladies  gathered  in  the  colonel's 
parlor  soon  after  tattoo  the  night  that  Tanner's  command 
marched  away.  Fleeing  from  the  spot  where  she  and 
her  escort  had  plainly  seen  Mr.  Truscott  and  Mrs.  Tan 
ner,  Grace  had  called  all  her  pride  and  pluck  into  requi 
sition,  and  finding  her  father  with  one  or  two  of  his 
cronies  standing  on  the  piazza,  she  had  begged  them  to 
come  into  the  parlor. 

"  Yes,  do  come/'  urged  the  colonel,  and  "  Grace  will 
give  us  some  music."  And  so  it  had  happened  that  quite 
a  number  of  the  young  people  had  gathered  there,  and 
for  over  an  hour  mirth,  music,  and  laughter  had  reigned 
supreme.  Never  had  Grace  seemed  so  winsome,  so  full 
of  life  and  gayety.  She  sang  for  them  again  and  again, 
and  sang  gloriously;  her  voice  rich,  clear,  and  true, 
seemed  more  thrilling  than  ever,  and  they  would  not 
let  her  stop.  Twice  the  colonel  bent  to  kiss  her  and 
praise  her  singing.  And  she,  looking  up  in  his  face, 
answered  so  that  only  he  could  hear,  "  If  it  please 
you,  father ;  I  care  for  no  one  else."  In  the  midst  of 
it  all  who  should  enter  but  Truscott.  She  was  singing 
at  the  moment,  but  the  colonel  welcomed  him  cordially, 
and  Mrs.  Turner  motioned  him  to  a  seat  by  her  side. 
The  instant  the  song  was  finished  he  rose  and  went  for 
ward  ;  but  before  he  could  speak  Miss  Pelham,  too,  had 
risen,  and  with  perfect  ease  and  the  most  radiant  smile, 
exclaimed,  "This  is  indeed  an  honor,  Mr.  Truscott. 
You  have  been  so  confirmed  a  recluse  that  an  evening 

24 


278  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

visit  from  you  is  more  than  a  rarity."  Then  she  turned 
instantly  to  reply  to  several  requests  for  another  song, 
laughingly  protesting  that  they  must  leave  at  least  one 
or  two  for  some  other  occasion ;  and  Truscott  noted 
with  vague  uneasiness  and  disappointment  that  the  little 
hand  so  carelessly  extended  had  barely  touched  his,  and 
was  cold  as  ice. 

During  the  rest  of  the  brief  half-hour  he  listened 
with  delight  to  her  singing  when  she  sang,  and  watched 
the  grace  and  cordiality  of  her  manner  among  the 
guests  with  growing  admiration,  but  not  one  word  more 
was  vouchsafed  him.  It  was  soon  time  to  go,  for  others 
were  going,  and  not  even  a  good-night  pressure  of  the 
hand  could  he  gain.  Mrs.  Turner  had  absolutely  taken 
his  arm  after  saying  farewell,  and  Grace,  quickly  noting 
the  circumstance,  had  seized  her  opportunity. 

"Ah!  you  going,  too,  Mr.  Truscott?  Good-night." 
And  with  the  words  she  turned  her  attention  to  other 
departing  guests.  But  when  all  were  gone,  and  her 
father  would  have  detained  her  a  few  moments,  she 
hurriedly  kissed  his  ruddy  forehead  and  wished  him 
pleasant  dreams,  darted  up  the  stairs  and  into  her  own 
room,  locked  the  door,  threw  herself  upon  the  bed,  and 
burst  into  a  passion  of  tears. 

Late  the  following  afternoon,  and  not  until  late,  she 
appeared  in  the  parlor.  A  violent  headache  had  been 
her  excuse  for  remaining  in  her  room  all  day,  but  she 
was  wide  awake  when  Truscott  called,  and  as  her 
mother  stepped  to  the  head  of  the  stairs,  she  had  list 
ened  to  that  brief  conversation  with  strained  attention. 
She  could  not  help  noting  the  earnest  anxiety  in  his 
voice,  and  a  thrill  of  gladness  for  an  instant  possessed 


WINNING  HIS  SPUKS.  279 

her.  Then  she  recalled  the  scene  of  the  previous  night, 
and  then  again  her  mother's  voice  was  heard  in  the 
adjoining  room,  "  And  now  he  is  going  into  Mrs.  Tan 
ner's."  And  Grace  hardened  her  heart  against  him  in 
bitter,  jealous  pain.  Gladly  would  she  have  shunned 
all  eyes  that  day,  but  the  Raymonds  and  Mr.  Glenham 
had  been  invited  by  Mrs.  Pelham  to  dinner,  so  rise  and 
dress  she  had  to.  Once  during  the  morning  the  colonel 
had  come  in  to  kiss  and  cheer  her,  but  she  shrank  from 
all  conversation  with  her  mother,  and  lay  perfectly  still, 
as  though  striving  to  sleep,  whenever  that  lady  entered ; 
but  at  noon  she  heard  the  servant  coming  up  the  stairs 
after  answering  the  door-bell,  and  with  a  "  sh-sh-sh" 
of  caution,  Mrs.  Pelham  had  swooped  out  from  her 
own  room  and  taken  possession  of  the  tiny  note  that 
Grace  could  not  see.  No  wonder  that  Truscott  received 
no  answer  that  day, — that  the  tiny  note  never  was  an 
swered.  At  stables  he  learned  from  the  colonel  that 
she  was  better,  and  "  had  been  resting  quietly,"  but  that 
was  all.  It  had  been  his  intention  to  have  a  talk  with 
Glenham  after  dinnei,  and  on  returning  from  stables  he 
found  the  latter  getting  into  his  full  uniform.  They 
had  not  met  before  during  the  day. 

"What's  that  for,  Glenham?"  he  asked.  "There 
is  no  parade  to-night." 

"  Dinner  at  the  colonel's,"  was  the  brief  reply. 

"  Indeed !  I  hope  Miss  Pelham  is  well  enough  to 
be  down,  then." 

"  She  was  looking  well  as  ever  when  I  saw  her  ten 
minutes  ago,"  was  the  dry  response;  and  Truscott, 
pained  and  stung, — he  hardly  knew  why, — decided 
that  he  would  postpone  what  he  had  to  say  to  Glenham. 


280  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

He  spent  the  evening  alone,  and  it  was  after  eleven, 
and  he  had  gone  to  bed,  when  he  heard  Glenham  re 
turn.  It  used  to  be  the  practice  of  the  latter  when  he 
came  in  late  and  found  no  one  in  their  sitting-room  to 
go  to  Jack's  door  and  see  if  he  had  turned  in ;  but  this 
night  he  never  stopped  an  instant ;  and  Truscott,  lying 
sleepless  for  hours  afterwards,  and  thinking  over  the 
events  of  the  past  few  days,  felt  sadly  assured  that  in 
many  ways  the  course  of  his  true  love  was  to  run  no 
smoother  than  was  proverbially  the  case. 

The  next  was  a  busy  day  in  the  office.  Truscott 
stopped  at  the  colonel's  on  the  way  thither  to  in 
quire  after  Miss  Pelham,  and  was  told  by  the  servant 
that  she  was  much  better,  and  at  the  moment  at  break 
fast.  The  colonel  himself  remained  but  a  few  moments 
at  headquarters,  and  yet  Truscott's  practised  eye  saw  at 
once  that  something  had  gone  very  wrong  with  him. 
He  was  looking  anxious  and  harassed,  and  replied  to 
the  few  questions  addressed  him  by  the  adjutant  with 
evident  constraint.  All  the  morning  and  much  of  the 
afternoon  Truscott  was  chained  to  the  desk,  engaged 
with  the  sergeant-major  and  the  clerks  on  some  im 
portant  papers ;  but  shortly  before  stables  he  called  at 
the  colonel's,  and  inquired  if  he  could  see  Miss  Pel- 
ham.  He  heard  the  rustle  of  feminine  garments  in 
the  parlor  as  the  servant  ushered  him  through  the  hall, 
but  it  was  vacant  when  he  entered,  and  the  door  lead 
ing  to  the  dining-room  was  closed  ;  the  piano  was  open, 
and  on  the  rack  was  a  favorite  song  of  Miss  Pelham's, 
— Millard's  "  Waiting."  On  the  piano  was  a  cavalry 
forage-cap, — Glenham's.  In  a  moment  the  servant  re 
turned.  "  Miss  Pelham  is  lying  down,  and  begs  to  be 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  281 

excused,"  was  the  message ;  and  with  a  deep,  dull  pain, 
and  a  sense  of  injury  he  could  not  define  rankling  in 
his  heart,  Jack  Truscott  turned  and  left  the  parlor. 
He  never  entered  it  again. 

Late  that  evening  two  soldiers  of  Captain  Tanner's 
troop  rode  into  garrison,  went  at  once  to  the  adjutant's 
quarters,  and  delivered  a  package  addressed  in  the  cap 
tain's  handwriting  to  Truscott.  Opening  it  he  fcund  a 
letter  for  himself,  a  second  addressed  to  Tanner's  busi 
ness  agent  in  San  Francisco,  a  third  to  Mrs.  Tanner. 
Sending  the  men  to  their  quarters  he  rapidly  read  the 
first  note,  and  for  a  few  moments  remained  buried  in 
thought.  Then  he  started,  looked  at  his  watch,  once 
more  glanced  at  his  note,  and,  taking  all  three  in  his 
hand,  left  the  house. 

Meantime,  what  has  become  of  Mrs.  Tanner  ?  Just 
how  she  bore  the  tidings  that  her  husband  was  to  be 
torn  from  her  at  the  very  day  and  hour  when  she  most 
needed  his  loving  caresses,  just  what  that  parting  cost 
her,  just  how  long,  dreary,  and  tear-laden  was  the 
night  that  followed  the  departure  of  his  command,  and 
how  desolate  and  sad  the  succeeding  day,  no  words 
could  tell ;  and,  fortunately  enough,  the  poor  powers 
of  this  narrator  would  fall  too  far  short  of  adequate 
description  to  render  the  faintest  attempt  pardonable. 
There  are  some  sorrows  too  sacred  for  prying  eyes  to 
look  upon ;  too  deep,  too  holy,  for  any  record  save  that 
of  the  All-Merciful  on  high.  Is  it  compensation  ?  is 
it,  can  it  be  sufficient  to  the  eye  of  faith  upturned  in 
dumb,  yet  patient,  prayerful  agony,  that  He  who  giveth 
only  to  take  away,  notes  with  loving  pity  every  sob  and 
tear,  and  only  chasteneth  because  He  loveth  ?  Ah  !  I 

24* 


282  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

fear  me  there  be  mothers  who  cannot  fathom  the  depths 
of  a  love  so  infinite,  mothers  to  whom  the  prattle  and 
petting  of  some  sweet,  sunny-haired  baby  were  worth 
far  more  than  a  love  infinite  indeed,  yet  infinitely  be 
yond  them.  Bow  and  bend  and  bear  it  as  they  may, 
is  there  a  mother-heart  so  utterly  sanctified  by  grief,  I 
wonder,  as  to  be  able  to  feel  the  utter  resignation  of  the 
words  the  quivering,  kiss-robbed  lips  so  meekly  strive 
to  frame,—"  Thy  will  be  done"  ?  Perhaps  so.  Pos 
sibly  it  was  so  with  her  whose  lot  it  was  to  be  bereft  of 
the  idols  of  her  gentle  life ;  to  be  left  lone,  desolate, 
wellnigh  deserted  in  her  bereavement ;  to  be  shunned 
by  those  whose  hands  were  not  worthy  to  unlatch  the 
very  shoes  upon  her  feet,  whose  lips  were  too  sullied  to 
breathe  the  least  holy,  womanly,  wifely  thought  that 
ever  found  birth  in  her  pure  and  humble  soul.  Let  us 
leave  her  with  her  grief  and  her  God.  It  was  practi 
cally  what  Camp  Sandy  did. 

The  Raymonds  and  Mr.  Glenham  had  dined  at 
Colonel  Pelham's,  as  has  been  seen,  and  it  will  be  re 
membered  that  Mr.  Hunter  was  in  earnest  conversa 
tion  with  Mrs.  Turner  that  morning.  Very  soon  after 
Hunter's  departure  Mrs.  Turner  had  run  over  to  Mrs. 
Raymond's.  Later  in  the  day  Mrs.  Wilkins  in  a  high 
state  of  excitement  was  observed  to  be  imparting  some 
intelligence  to  no  less  than  three  ladies  over  on  Captain 
Canker's  piazza.  That  night  after  dinner  Mrs.  Ray 
mond  had  a  long  whispered  conversation  with  Lady 
Pelham  on  the  sofa,  while  Grace  was  trying  to  sing  for 
the  benefit  of  the  adoring  Glenham,  who  hung  raptur 
ously  about  the  piano.  Later  still  Mrs.  Pelhara  had 
inflicted  a  curtain-lecture  upon  the  colonel  which  robbed 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  283 

him  of  sleep,  and  in  course  of  which  she  gave  him  a 
piece  of  information  that  made  him  utterly  wretched. 
The  next  morning  on  his  return  from  the  office  he  had 
sought  Grace,  and  after  a  few  moments'  conversation, 
in  which  he  had  shown  grievous  embarrassment,  he  had 
taken  her  in  his  arms,  saying,  "Grace,  my  darling, 
sometimes  I  think  I  can  believe  nobody  but  you.  For 
God's  sake,  tell  me  that  this  story  I  have  heard  of  what 
you  and  Mr.  Hunter  saw  is  not  true !"  And  she,  look 
ing  wildly  up  in  his  face  one  moment,  exclaimed,  in 
horror-stricken  tones,  "  Oh,  father,  he  cannot  have  told 
it !"  and  burst  into  a  passion  of  hysterical  tears. 

Then  poor  Pelham  knew  it  was  true.  He  did  not 
go  to  stables  that  afternoon :  he  did  not  want  to  see 
Truscott.  He  shut  himself  in  his  "den,"  as  a  sort 
of  study  and  smoking-room  of  his  was  called,  and 
strove  to  think.  When  the  adjutant  reported  the  com 
mand  present  at  tattoo,  he  merely  replied,  "  Very  well, 
sir,"  and  abruptly  re-entered  the  house.  And  when 
ten  o'clock  came  and  the  trumpet-call  for  extinguish 
ing  lights  wailed  through  the  garrison,  its  notes  sounded 
like  a  knell  to  his  honest  heart.  Ah,  how  many  there 
were  to  whom  the  notes  were  even  sadder !  All  be 
cause  a  weak-minded  boy  had  not  sense  enough  to  hold 
his  tongue. 

"  You  don't  seem  to  like  Mr.  Truscott,"  Mrs.  Turner 
had  remarked  to  Mr.  Hunter  that  morning.  "  Why,  I 
thought  he  was  the  Admirable  Crichton  himself." 

Now  Mr.  Hunter  was  Mrs.  Turner's  latest  victim. 
The  young  fellow  was  dancing  around  the  limited 
circle  of  which  her  apron-string  was  the  radius  much 
of  his  time,  and  he  was  jealous  of  her  admiration  for 


284  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Truscott,  and  was  not  a  youth  of  profound  good  taste 
or  discretion  in  any  event. 

"  I  don't  like  any  man  who  is  two-faced/'  was  his 
surly  reply. 

"  But  I  always  thought  Mr.  Truscott  the  personifica 
tion  of  honor  and  straightforwardness,"  she  persisted. 

"  He  may  be,  only  his  way  doesn't  strike  me  as  emi 
nently  high-toned,"  was  the  answer.  And  in  ten  min 
utes  she  had  deftly  extracted  his  story  from  his  not 
unwilling  lips  and  sent  him  about  his  business.  This 
was  the  delicious  plum  she  carried  to  Mrs.  Raymond, 
and  it  needs  no  dilation  now  to  tell  how  the  plum 
expanded  by  the  time  it  reached  the  colonel. 

No  wonder  no  lady  had  called  to  see  how  poor  little 
Mrs.  Tanner  was  on  either  of  the  two  days  succeeding 
her  husband's  departure. 

All  that  evening  the  colonel  sat  alone  in  his  den.  It 
was  late,  eleven  o'clock,  when  the  wife  of  his  bosom 
suggested  his  going  to  bed.  She  herself  had  been 
having  a  long  chat  with  Mr.  Glenham,  despite  the  fact 
that  she  had  monopolized  him  during  much  of  the 
afternoon.  Grace  was  indeed  up-stairs  when  Truscott 
called,  but  it  was  Mrs.  Pelham,  not  she,  who  sent  the 
message  that  she  was  lying  down.  But  the  colonel 
would  not  go  to  bed. 

"  I  cannot  sleep  now,  Dolly.  I  want  to  think.  The 
mail  goes  up  to  Prescott  first  thing  to-morrow  morning, 
and  I  must  write  two  letters." 

It  must  have  been  long  after  midnight  when  at  last; 
he  rose,  and,  with  a  drawn,  wearied  look  upon  his  face, 
extinguished  the  lights  and  went  to  his  room.  Even 
then  he  stood  for  some  little  time  at  his  window,  look- 


WINNTNO  nis  SPURS.  285 

ing  out  upon  the  starry  sky  to  the  southward.  Sud 
denly  he  heard  quick  footsteps  crossing  the  parade  from 
the  direction  of  the  office.  Somebody  bounded  up  on 
the  piazza,  and  instantly  the  clang  of  the  bell,  thrice 
repeated,  resounded  through  the  house.  Pelham  quickly 
waddled  down  and  opened  the  door. 

"  Who  is  it?"  he  sharply  asked. 

"  Corcoran,  sir.  It's  an  important  despatch,  and  I 
brought  it  right  over.  It's  lucky  I  sleep  next  to  the 
instrument,  or  we  might  not  have  got  it  until  morning, 
sir." 

"  Come  in,"  said  Pelham.  And  leading  the  way  to 
the  parlor,  he  struck  a  light,  tore  open  the  envelope, 
and  hastily  read  the  contents. 

"  Go  and  wake  the  adjutant  at  once,  and  tell  him  I 
want  him,"  he  said.  And  Corcoran  was  off  without  a 
word. 

The  next  moment  Grace's  light  footstep  was  heard 
upon  the  stair,  and  in  a  loose,  warm  wrapper,  she  stol*1 
hastily  in  upon  him. 

"  What  is  it,  papa?  I  could  not  call  for  fear  of 
waking  mother,  and  I  was  anxious." 

"  A  very  important  message  from  the  general  with 
instructions  for  Tanner's  command.  Instructions  he 
must  get  at  once,  too,"  said  the  colonel,  "and  there 
isn't  a  scout  in  the  garrison." 

"  What  can  you  do  ?"  she  asked,  anxiously. 

"  I  don't  know  yet ;  I've  sent  for  the  adjutant,"  he 
stammered.  He  could  not  explain  it,  but  he  could  not 
then  pronounce  his  name  in  her  presence.  Again  he 
read  the  despatch. 

"  Advices  just  received  from  Stryker  prove  Eski- 


286  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

minzin  to  be  near  Diamond  Butte.  Send  couriers  after 
Tanner  at  once  and  turn  him  that  way.  Indians  are 
strongly  reinforced  and  making  for  Green  Valley. 
Hold  entire  command  in  readiness  to  move  at  moment's 
notice.  What  force  has  Tanner?  Acknowledge  re 
ceipt." 

He  handed  it  to  her.  "  You  may  read  it,  Grace.  I 
had  thought  all  this  was  at  an  end,  but  you  never  can  tell. 
There  be  agents  and  agents.  It  looks  like  another 
general  outbreak." 

The  sweet  face  paled  a  little  as  the  curt,  business 
like  wording  of  the  despatch  met  her  eyes.  Then  she 
looked  up. 

"  Do  not  speak  of  it  to  any  one,"  he  said.  "  Your 
mother  sometimes  forgets  that  these  are  not  matters  for 
talk.  But  what  keeps  Corcoran?"  he  asked,  impa 
tiently,  and  stepped  forth  upon  the  piazza.  Despite 
the  chill  night  air,  Grace  threw  his  heavy  cloak  around 
her  and  followed  him,  linking  her  arm  through  his  and 
nestling  close  to  his  side. 

"  It  is  all  so  exciting,  and  yet,  I  can't  help  it,  I  like 
it,"  she  said. 

"  You're  quite  a  soldier,  Gracie,"  he  answered,  fondly. 
"  I  believe  you  were  cut  out  for  the  army,  despite  your 
mother's  predilections  for  civil  life.  Here  comes  Cor 
coran  on  the  run,  as  usual.  Did  you  find  him  ?"  he 
asked. 

"  No,  sir.     He  isn't  there  at  all." 

"What?"  said  Pelham,  with  sudden  vehemence. 
"  Not  there  ?  Are  you  sure  ?" 

"Sure,  sir.  Mr.  Glenhara  got  up  and  we  went 
through  the  house.  He  isn't  there,  and  all  is  dark 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  287 

down  at  the  store "  And  Corcoran  paused  irres 
olutely. 

"  Go  and  call  the  officer  of  the  day,  Captain  Canker, 
quick,"  said  the  colonel,  shortly. 

Then  there  was  silence.  He  put  his  arm  around  his 
daughter's  waist,  and  she,  shivering,  though  not  from 
cold,  nestled  closer  to  him.  From  the  guard-house 
arose  the  prolonged  cry  of  the  sentry,  "  Number  one, 
one  o'clock."  And  one  after  another  the  sentries  took 
up  the  call  before  Corcoran  returned.  Behind  him, 
with  clanking  sabre,  came  Captain  Canker. 

"  Have  you  any  idea  where  Truscott  can  be  ?"  was 
the  immediate  question  from  the  colonel's  lips. 

Before  the  astonished  officer  could  reply,  the  door  of 
Captain  Tanner's  quarters,  close  beside  them,  opened. 
A  broad  light  shone  forth  upon  the  parade,  and,  calm 
and  erect,  the  adjutant  stepped  quickly  from  the  hall. 
The  door  closed  behind  him.  With  one  bound  Grace 
Pelham  tore  herself  from  her  father's  arm  and  fled  up 
stairs. 

"You  are  calling  me,  colonel.  What  is  it?"  the 
deep,  grave  voice  was  heard  to  ask,  and  Mr.  Truscott 
stood  before  his  commanding  officer. 

For  an  instant  no  one  spoke.  Pelham  fairly  stag 
gered.  Canker's  face  bore  an  expression  of  virtnoug 
amaze  and  indignation.  Truscott  alone  looked  self- 
possessed. 

"  Mr.  Truscott,"  at  last  said  the  colonel,  with  evident 
effort,  and  very  gravely,  "  I  have  been  sending  every 
where  for  you."  (A  conventional  statement  which 
many  a  post  commander  considers  it  justifiable  to  make 
when  the  desired  officer  doesn't  happen  to  be  in  the 


288  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

first  place  he  is  looked  for.)  "  It  is  necessary  to  send  a 
courier  to  Tanner  at  once,  some  one  who  will  be  sure 
to  find  him.  A  most  important  despatch  is  received, 
and  it  must  get  to  him  quick  as  possible.  Who  can 
take  it?" 

"lean,  sir." 

"But  I  don't  want  to  send  you.  Stop,  though," 
said  the  colonel,  and  a  sudden  thought  seemed  to  flash 
across  his  mind.  The  look  of  deep  trouble,  of  stern, 
startled  resolution,  was  still  upon  his  face.  "  I  wish 
you  would  go.  It  is  best  you  should.  I — I  mean  it 
is  of  such  moment  that  I  like  to  intrust  it  to  no  one 
but  an  officer." 

"  I  can  start  inside  an  hour,  colonel,  and  can  catch 
him  before  the  next  sunset." 

"  Then  take  any  escort  you  like,  and  get  ready  at 
once.  Bucketts  will  act  for  you  in  your  absence.  I 
will  be  at  the  office."  And  Truscott  turned  and  left, 
turned  suddenly  again  at  Tanner's  quarters,  and  knocked 
lightly  at  the  door.  It  was  opened  at  once,  and  he 
entered.  The  colonel  and  Captain  Canker  gazed  after 
him  in  silence.  Then  their  eyes  met.  "  Come  into  the 
parlor,  Canker,"  said  the  colonel,  hoarsely,  and  led  the 
way.  "  Corcoran,  go  and  wake  the  sergeant-major,  and 
send  the  orderly  trumpeter  to  report  to  the  adjutant. 
Wake  Major  Bucketts  and  say — no,  never  mind  waking 
anybody  else.  Come  in,  captain."  And  the  colonel 
closed  his  door. 

In  five  minutes  Mr.  Truscott  reappeared  on  the 
piazza,  and  Mrs.  Tanner  followed  him.  "You  will 
stop  for  the  letter  ?"  she  anxiously  asked. 

"  Certainly,"  he  answered,  and  was  gone. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS. 


At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  three  horsemen  rode 
rapidly  away  from  the  adjutant's  office  down  the  slope 
to  the  southward.  With  them  were  two  led  horses. 
Jack  Truscott  had  started  on  his  dangerous  mission. 


*><)0  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR. 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

DOWN  in  a  deep  valley  close  under  the  frowning 
cliffs  of  the  Mogollon  range  a  cavalry  detachment  has 
gone  into  bivouac.  The  setting  sun  flashes  upon  tree- 
top  and  rocky  spur  above,  and  throws  into  bold  prom 
inence  the  long  expanse  of  rugged  precipice  that  spans 
the  view  far  as  eye  can  reach.  To  right  and  left  it 
stretches,  a  barrier  grim  and  impassable,  shutting  off 
all  view  towards  the  east.  Northward  and  southward 
are  the  foot-hills,  lofty  in  themselves,  but  dwarfed  by 
the  great  height  of  the  palisaded  crest  in  front.  All 
are  densely  wooded,  covered  with  short,  stunted  but 
hardy  pine,  juniper,  and  scrub-oak,  while  down  in  the 
deep  interlying  valleys  and  narrow  carious  tall  cotton- 
woods  rear  their  heads.  It  is  in  a  grove  of  these  that 
the  men  have  unsaddled,  and  now,  as  twilight  settles 
upon  the  scene,  and  the  herd -guards  are  doubled  around 
the  grazing  steeds  and  pack-mules,  the  glow  of  the 
camp-fire  is  visible  down  under  the  stream-bank,  whence 
its  light  cannot  be  detected  beyond  the  narrow  limits  of 
the  bivouac.  The  ruddy  glare  falls  upon  the  faces  of 
three  or  four  busy  soldiers,  the  cooks  pro  tempore  of  the 
command,  but  almost  to  a  man  the  other  troopers  are 
gathered  about  two  dusty,  weary-looking  non-commis 
sioned  officers  who  have  just  dismounted  and  are  now 
unsaddling  their  jaded  horses.  The  merry,  reckless 


WINNING  1IIS  SPURS.  291 

chaff  is  stilled  ;  a  marked  silence  has  fallen  upon  all ; 
the  men  converse  in  quiet  tones.  Even  the  horses  have 
an  air  of  mysterious  caution  about  them,  and  the  In 
dian  allies,  crouching  or  squatting  under  the  trees,  are 
gazing  fixedly,  but  without  a  word  to  one  another,  upon 
the  group  of  soldiery.  Even  while  questioning  the 
new-comers  and  listening  eagerly  to  their  replies,  some 
of  the  troopers  keep  constantly  in  view  a  party  of  five 
men  standing  aloof  engaged  in  earnest  conversation. 
One  of  them,  the  tallest,  is  unbuckling  belt  and  spur 
as  he  stands  leaning  against  a  broad  cotton  wood.  He 
lifts  his  broad-brimmed  scouting-hat  and  passes  his 
hand  across  his  white  forehead  with  an  air  of  evident 
fatigue,  but  continues  his  quiet  talk  to  the  others.  It 
is  Jack  Truscott,  and  around  him  are  Tanner,  Ray, 
Dana,  arid  the  doctor.  Since  two  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing  he  has  been  in  pursuit,  through  mountain-pass, 
through  dark  and  gloomy  canon,  through  wilds  only 
well  known  to  the  infesting  Apaches,  through  lairs 
where  every  moment  he  might  expect  to  hear  their 
vengeful  yell  and  the  crack  of  rifle  or  whiz  of  arrow ; 
but  even  as  he  promised  and  predicted,  before  the  set 
ting  of  another  sun  he  has  accomplished  his  mission, 
and  the  despatches  are  now  in  Tanner's  hands.  He  has 
read  them,  and,  pondering  over  their  contents,  is  still 
eagerly  listening  to  Truscott's  talk. 

"  Could  you  tell  how  many  there  were  ?"  he  asked. 

"  No,"  said  Truscott.  "  But  it  was  evident  that  they 
had  been  there  to  fill  their  ottas,  and  it  must  be  that 
their  main  body  is  somewhere  among  the  high  peaks, 
within  a  mile  or  two  of  the  water." 

"  What  a  blessed  piece  of  luck !     We  passed  up  the 


292  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

valley  on  the  other  side,  and  might  never  have  seen  it. 
Who  knows  what  time  the  moon  will  be  up  ?" 

"  Eight  thirty,"  answered  Ray. 

"Then  we  want  supper  for  all  hands  first  thing. 
Jack,  you  must  be  hungry  as  a  wolf.  Ray,  Dana,  let 
your  men  fill  their  canteens  and  take  along  a  couple 
of  days'  bacon  and  hard-tack.  See  that  every  man 
has  fifty  rounds  carbine  cartridges  and  enough  for  his 
revolver.  We  start  afoot  at  moonrise.  There  will  be 
time  for  some  of  them  to  get  a  nap.  Doctor,  two  of 
the  men  will  carry  what  you  want."  And  with  that 
Captain  Tanner  proceeded  to  stow  his  despatches  in  his 
scouting  note-book,  and  briefly  to  note  in  pencil  the 
events  of  the  day.  In  ten  minutes  the  entire  bivouac, 
officers  and  men,  were  eagerly  disposing  of  a  substan 
tial  supper  with  the  zest  only  mountain  appetites  and 
the  vivid  uncertainty  as  to  when  or  where  the  next 
might  be  obtainable  can  impart. 

Then  as  pipes  were  filled  and  lighted,  Tanner,  Trus- 
cott,  and  Ray,  stretched  at  ease  upon  their  blankets, 
fell  into  further  discussion. 

"  What  time  did  Mills  and  Lewis  get  in  ?"  asked 
Tanner,  referring  to  the  two  soldiers  who  had  been 
sent  back  with  despatches  the  day  before. 

"  It  must  have  been  soon  after  ten,"  said  Truscott. 
"  I  found  Mrs.  Tanner  still  up  and  dressed,  and  she 
got  the  papers  at  once." 

"I'm  sorry  to  have  put  you  to  so  much  trouble, 
Jack.  It  must  have  been  some  hours'  work.  Why, 
man  alive,  you  cannot  have  had  a  wink  of  sleep  for 
thirty-six  hours  or  more.  I  never  thought  of  it." 

"  Never  mind  that,"  said  Truscott,  laughingly.    "  It 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  293 

was  good  luck.  If  your  note  had  not  come  I  would 
have  been  asleep  when  this  despatch  reached  Sandy, 
and  the  colonel  would  have  sent  somebody  else.  Then 
too  if  it  had  not  come  I  would  have  followed  on  your 
trail,  or  whoever  came  would  have  done  so,  instead  of 
taking  the  short  cut  by  Hardscrabble  and  Jaycox  Pass, 
and  so  would  have  missed  these  signs  entirely.77 

"  All  the  same  you  need  rest.  Of  course,  now  that 
you  are  here,  you'll  want  to  go  with  us  on  the  night- 
hunt  ;  but  you  can  sleep  till  nine  or  ten  and  follow. 
Sergeant  Kane  can  go  with  the  Apache-Mohaves  and 
show  the  signs.  We'll  follow  the  old  tactics,  of  course, 
— attack  at  daybreak." 

"  All  right,"  said  Truscott,  as  he  knocked  the  ashes 
out  of  his  pipe ;  and  rolling  over,  burying  his  face  in 
his  arms,  he  was  soon  sound  asleep. 

Tanner  and  Ray  smoked  in  silence  a  while,  busied  in 
their  reflections.  Dana,  a  few  yards  away,  was  writing 
what  appeared  to  be  a  letter.  The  doctor  was  busy 
about  his  pannier,  getting  ready  lint,  bandages,  and  the 
ominous-looking  supplies  of  his  department.  Some 
distance  farther  the  men  were  chatting  in  low  tones 
under  the  trees,  kicking  off  their  cavalry  boots  and 
spurs  and  pulling  on  Indian  moccasins  as  more  suit 
able  for  the  work  before  them,  and  overhauling  their 
arms  and  ammunition-belts.  Out  in  the  glade  the 
herds  were  restfully  grazing,  while  here  and  there  on 
the  outskirts  could  be  heard  the  subdued  voices  of  the 
guards  as  they  rebuked  some  straggling  quadruped, 
while  the  muffled  tinkle  of  the  bells  on  the  necks  of 
the  lead-horses  of  each  company's  pack-train,  and  the 
occasional  snap  of  burning  twig  or  stamp  of  hoof,  were 
25* 


294  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

the  only  sounds  that  a  hundred  yards  away  would  have 
betrayed  the  presence  of  the  command. 

"  Truscott  ought  to  be  fairly  used  up,  Ray,"  said 
Tanner,  finally.  "  Fve  a  great  mind  to  steal  off  and 
leave  him  sleeping  here  with  the  camp-guard  to  take 
charge  of  him." 

"  You  would  not  get  far  away  before  he  would  be 
striding  after  you,"  said  Ray,  with  a  grin.  "  But  what 
kept  him  up  all  last  night  ?  I  did  not  understand." 

"  Why,  that  was  my  doing,  confound  it !"  answered 
Tanner.  "  I  had  promised  to  send  copies  of  certain 
important  papers  to  San  Francisco,  and  was  ordered  off 
in  a  hurry,  and — well,  it  escaped  my  attention,  for  it 
was  particularly  hard  to  leave  my  wife  just  at  this 
time.  So  when  the  doctor  sent-  Lewis  back  sick,  I 
wrote  to  Jack  and  asked  him  to  get  them  off  by  first 
mail  for  me.  I  supposed  that  he  would  have  them 
copied  by  a  clerk ;  but  the  mail  went  this  morning, 
and  in  order  to  get  them  off  he  and  Mrs.  Tanner  had 
to  sit  up  till  after  midnight  and  make  the  copies.  It 
isn't  the  first  time  he  has  had  to  look  after  my  affairs 
for  me.  I  fancy  Jack  knows  more  about  my  business 
matters  than  any  agent  I  ever  had  ;  and,  glad  as  I  am 
to  see  him,  I  wish  he  hadn't  come  away  from  Sandy 
just  now." 

Ray  looked  up  inquiringly. 

"  You  didn't  know  it,  I  suppose,  Ray,  but  the  night 
we  marched  away,  almost  the  very  hour,  was  the  night 
five  years  ago  we  lost  our  little  Bertie.  It  is  a  wretched 
anniversary  to  my  poor  wife,  and  always  upsets  her. 
She  never  has  any  intimates  or  particularly  warm 
friends  among  the  ladies  somehow,  and  Truscott  has 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  295 

been  about  the  only  real  comrade  we've  ever  had.  She 
thinks  all  the  world  of  him,  for  he  nursed  Bertie 
through  one  severe  attack  while  I  was  away,  and  he 
was  the  only  soul  to  sympathize  with  her  the  night  we 
marched.  It  hurts  me  to  think  how  lonely  these  days 
must  be  to  her  and  poor  little  Rosalie."  And  the 
bronzed,  bearded  face  turned  away  from  the  firelight. 

Ray  rose  impulsively.  "  Why  in  thunder  hadn't  I 
thought  of  this,  Tanner?  I  wish  all  the  more  now 

that Why  !  why  didn't  Jack  tell  Pelham  ?  Oh, 

of  course  you  forbade  him,  but  all  the  same  I  would 
have  let  him  know.  Never  mind,  old  man,  we'll  give 
these  reds  a  trouncing  to-morrow  and  then  hurry  back 
for  Christmas,  and  give  Rosalie  an  out-and-out  merry 
one." 

"  God  grant  it !"  said  Tanner,  gravely.  And  Ray 
wondering  at  the  earnestness,  the  solemnity  of  his  tone, 
fell  to  thinking  of  their  conversation.  It  had  made  a 
deep  impression  upon  his  light,  careless  nature,  and  he 
long  remembered  every  word.  Well  was  it  that  he  did 
so! 

At  last,  looking  eagerly  aloft  among  the  tree-tops, 
Tanner  notes  the  faint,  shimmering,  silvery  touch  of 
moonlight.  All  at  the  base  of  the  Mogollon  is  still 
deep  shadow.  He  rises  from  the  blankets  in  which  he 
has  rolled  himself  and  looks  around.  At  his  feet, 
sleeping  like  children,  are  Truscott  and  Ray.  Under 
a  neighboring  cottonwood  lies  Dana,  but  not  asleep.  It 
is  too  new  an  experience  to  him,  and  the  proximity  of 
the  doctor's  kit  of  murderous-looking  implements  is 
not  conducive  to  placid  reflections.  All  along  under 
the  trees,  close  to  the  rushing  brook,  the  men  are  noise- 


296  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

lessly  grouped,  most  of  them  soundly  sleeping,  though 
a  few  move  restlessly  about.  To  the  left  front,  se 
curely  hobbled  and  under  vigilant  guard,  the  eight- 
score  animals — horses  and  mules — are  scattered  over 
the  glade.  Here  and  there  is  the  faint  glow  of  smoul 
dering  cook-  or  watch-fire,  and  over  all  peace  and 
silence. 

Little  by  little  the  silver  shield  rises  higher  and  peers 
down  over  the  rocky  wall  into  the  depths  of  the  valley. 
Then  Tanner  signals  to  his  watchful  sergeant,  and  in 
low,  brief  tones  the  word  is  given, — 

"  Tumble  up,  men." 

No  stirring  trumpet,  no  martial  reveille,  no  formal 
roll-call  or  assembly,  nothing,  in  fine,  that  speaks  of 
the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  war.  Rolling  out  of 
their  blankets  and  hastily  strapping  them  into  bundles, 
the  troopers,  with  the  ease  of  long  practice,  stow  their 
ejmall  belongings  in  shape  for  immediate  transportation 
on  mule-back,  turn  them  over  to  the  packers  for  safe 
keeping,  and  in  ten  minutes  the  little  command  is  ready. 
A  strong  guard  under  experienced  non-commissioned, 
officers  remains  most  reluctantly  in  charge  of  the  herds 
and  packs;  but  some  eighty  men,  nearly  all  veteran 
Indian-fighters,  are  grouped  about  the  watch-fire  wait 
ing  orders.  Looking  among  them,  no  wonder  Mr. 
Kay  mutters  to  Captain  Tanner,  "  Well,  we're  banditti 
all  over  again  to-night,"  for  hardly  a  vestige  of  regu 
lation  uniform  appears  in  the  entire  array.  Old  slouch 
white  hats,  shirts  of  buckskin,  canvas,  or  woollen, 
trousers  of  similar  material,  an  occasional  pair  of  boots, 
but  a  predominance  of  serviceable  Tonto  moccasins,  in 
which  the  men  glide  about  noiselessly  as  spirits ;  not  a 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  297 

uniform  coat  or  cap  in  the  whole  command.  Even  the 
officers,  in  their  blue  flannel  shirts  and  broad-brimmed 
hats,  are  as  picturesquely  unencumbered  by  any  para 
phernalia  of  rank  as  their  men. 

"  Send  Sergeant  Winser  here  with  the  scouts,"  is  the 
low-toned  order  that  falls  from  the  captain's  lips,  as  ho 
and  Mr.  Truscott  stand,  watch  in  hand,  under  the  tall 
cotton  wood  at  the  edge  of  the  glade ;  and,  obedient  to 
the  summons,  a  tall,  splendidly-built  soldier  with 
bronzed  face,  clear-cut  features,  and  dark,  thoughtful 
eyes,  steps  forward,  and,  quietly  saluting,  stands  in 
silence  before  his  commander.  Following  him  come  a 
dozen  Apache  scouts,  their  coarse,  matted  hair,  bead- 
like,  glittering  eyes,  and  snaky  movements  giving  them, 
despite  their  temporary  and  enforced  allegiance,  an  in 
definable  something  that  makes  the  beholder  wary  and 
distrustful.  These  fellows,  though,  have  been  proved 
in  many  a  trying  scout  and  skirmish  through  the 
mountains,  and  their  strange  Apache  names  have  long 
since  been  dropped  for  the  shorter,  less  romantic,  but 
far  more  pronounceable  titles  given  by  their  soldier 
comrades.  Toyah  has  become  Pop-corn,  Kithaymi, 
Hopkin  (after  a  discharged  soldier  to  whom  he  had  be 
come  strongly  attached) ;  Tomawarecha  is  "  Whiskey," 
though  he  knows  not  the  taste  of  the  article,  and  a 
villainous-looking  young  scamp  of  a  savage,  with  the 
appalling  name  of  Ulnyakahorah,  is  dubbed  Jocko 
for  short.  And  here,  too,  is  Arahawa, —  Washington 
Charley, — and  he  takes  his  place  by  the  sergeant's  side 
as  interpreter,  should  interpreting  be  necessary 

Briefly  Tanner  gives  his  instructions. 

"  Lieutenant  Truscott  will  lead  you  and  the  scouts, 


298  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

sergeant.  He  found  signs  six  miles  down  the  valley, 
and  we  will  follow  the  trail  wherever  it  goes.  Ready, 
Jack?"  he  asks.  Truscott  nods,  throws  his  carbine 
over  his  shoulder,  and  without  a  word  strides  off 
down  the  brook-side.  Sergeant  Winser  beckons  to  his 
Apaches,  and  away  they  go  at  his  heels.  Then  Tanner 
turns  to  his  troopers.  "All  ready,  sergeant?" 

"All  ready,  sir." 

"See  to  it,  men,  that  your  canteens  don't  rattle. 
Keep  in  the  shade  as  much  as  possible.  Come  on." 
And  with  Ray,  Dana,  and  the  doctor  close  behind  him, 
the  captain  follows  on  the  trail  of  the  scouts,  and  after 
them,  in  no  tactical  order  whatever,  but  in  perfect 
silence  and  readiness,  the  men  of  the  two  troops  trudge 
briskly  along.  For  a  while  the  trail  is  so  narrow  and 
winding  that  they  move  in  single  file,  but  little  by  little 
the  valley  opens  out,  broader  glades  appear,  the  trees 
grow  sparse,  except  close  along  in  the  bed  of  the  stream, 
and  soon  they  are  able  to  spread  out  to  the  right  and 
left  and  to  see  about  them.  To  the  right  the  foot-hills 
roll  off  northward  in  wave-like  undulations.  To  the 
left,  only  a  short  distance  from  the  valley  down  which 
they  are  rapidly  marching,  high,  jagged  precipitous 
cliffs  and  "  buttes"  rise  against  the  southern  sky,  all 
dark  and  forbidding. 

For  over  an  hour  they  plunge  along,  and  the  pace 
is  beginning  to  tell  upon  some  of  the  heavy-weights 
towards  the  rear;  but  Truscott  and  his  Apaches  at 
the  front  know  well  that  there  is  no  time  to  be  lost 
in  getting  on  the  trail  of  the  Tontos.  They  must  be 
followed  to  their  lair  before  daybreak.  If  it  be  far 
from  the  valley  whither  they  had  come  for  their  supply 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  299 

of  water,  then  every  hour  will  be  needed.  If  near, 
then  there  will  be  plenty  of  time  to  rest  after  they  get 
there.  At  last,  towards  eleven  o'clock,  some  time  after 
leaving  the  banks  of  the  stream,  and  while  pushing 
ahead  among  the  foot-hills  of  the  tall  cliffs  to  the  south, 
the  rearmost  men  find  themselves  closing  upon  the 
leaders,  and  now  the  command  is  feeling  its  way. 

Among  a  lot  of  stunted  trees,  on  a  "  bench"  some 
few  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  valley,  Tanner 
has  halted  his  men  to  take  breath.  Out  in  front,  glid 
ing  from  rock  to  rock,  or  flitting  about  among  the  trees, 
are  the  tireless  Apaches.  The  tall  forms  of  Truscott 
and  Winser  can  be  seen  among  them,  apparently  direct 
ing  their  movements.  Every  now  and  then  a  muffled 
clap  of  hand  or  a  muttered  call  brings  half  a  dozen  of 
the  wild-looking  creatures  to  the  side  of  some  one  of 
their  number,  who  points  in  silence  to  broken  twig, 
freshly-turned  stone,  or  the  print  of  moccasin  on  tuft 
of  grass  or  ant-heap,  then  all  move  on  again. 

Before  them  lies  a  dark  ravine.  To  the  left  front 
towers  a  rugged  slope  that  seems  to  reach  to  the  skies. 
Across  the  ravine  to  the  right  there  rises  another,  and 
right  between  these,  into  the  gorge  itself,  the  scouts  are 
noiselessly,  stealthily  creeping.  Tanner  motions  his 
men  to  keep  back  under  the  trees,  and  taking  Kay  with 
him,  crouches  forward  to  where  Truscott  is  kneeling 
among  the  rocks. 

"  In  there,  do  you  think  ?"  he  whispers. 

Truscott  shakes  his  head  and  points  upward. 

"They  are  much  higher  than  this,  I  take  it,  and 
farther  in ;  but  the  trail  seems  to  lead  this  way." 

Under  the  rocks  the  darkness  is  intense,  and  only 


300  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

slow  progress  is  made ;  but  every  now  and  then  patches 
of  moonlight  are  found,  and  these  are  eagerly  scruti 
nized.  Two  of  the  Indians,  Kithaymi  and  Wawarnecha, 
seem  to  hunt  in  couples.  Side  by  side  they  crawl 
along,  pointing  eagerly  with  their  long,  bony  fingers  at 
objects  that  are  fraught  with  deep  meaning  to  them, 
but  that  would  never  attract  the  attention  of  a  white 
man.  At  last  an  opening  appears  in  the  rocks  to  the 
left  of  the  deep  ravine  in  which  they  are  working.  A 
broad  sheet  of  moonlight  streams  across  the  front,  and 
Washington  Charley,  his  eyes  gleaming  with  excite 
ment,  his  white  teeth  flashing  through  his  lips,  points 
aloft. 

"  Got  'em, — plenty  Tonto,"  he  whispers  to  Tanner. 

"How  far  up?" 

"  No  sabe, — mebbe  so  top,"  is  the  answer. 

"  Go  ahead  anyhow.     Ray,  bring  up  the  men/' 

And  now  the  climb  begins  in  earnest.  Noiselessly 
the  scouts  swarm  up  over  rock  and  boulder,  peering 
cautiously  ahead  all  the  time,  creeping  on  all-fours  to 
every  ridge  or  projecting  point,  and  warily  studying 
the  objects  beyond  before  venturing  farther.  Close 
behind  the  foremost  Indians  Truscott  and  the  sergeant 
slowly  follow.  Back  some  distance  down  the  jagged 
slope  comes  Tanner  with  the  command,  noiselessly  as 
white  men  can.  In  the  darkness  some  one's  foot  slips, 
a  stone  goes  rolling  downward,  and  the  metallic  clink 
of  a  canteen  is  heard,  whereat  one  or  two  profane  re 
marks  are  growled  about  among  the  men,  and  Tanner 
orders  halt  in  a  whisper.  "  Take  off  your  canteens, 
men,"  is  the  next  word,  and  they  are  noiselessly  depos 
ited  under  the  trees,  only  the  doctor  and  his  attendant 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  3Q1 

being  allowed  to  retain  theirs.  Then  on  they  go  again. 
Twice  Ray  has  to  turn  and  caution  his  men  to  take  it 
easy.  All  are  eager  to  get  to  the  front.  All  know 
that  somewhere,  probably  at  the  very  top  of  the  rugged 
mountain  they  are  climbing,  a  band  of  Apaches  are 
hidden,  for  only  on  the  summits  of  these  isolated 
buttes  have  they  of  late  dared  to  build  their  rancherias, 
so  untiring  has  been  the  search  for  them,  so  sudden  the 
attack.  Presently  they  come  to  ledges  of  rock  so  steep 
that  only  by  using  both  hands  and  helping  one  another 
can  they  clamber  up.  Carbines  and  rifles  are  passed 
from  man  to  man,  and  slowly,  warily  the  ascent  is  con 
tinued,  and  still,  far  aloft,  the  summit  stands  before 
them.  They  have  been  climbing  fully  an  hour  in  this 
way  when  the  word  halt  is  passed,  or  those  in  advance 
hold  up  a  warning  hand.  Tanner  and  Ray  again 
creep  forward. 

"What  is  it,  Jack?" 

"  Can't  tell.  There's  a  deep  hollow  round  that 
point.  Charley  said  wait." 

Tanner  looks  at  his  watch.  "  Nearly  one/7  he  mut 
ters,  "  and  we're  not  at  the  top  yet.  Did  you  ever  see 
such  a  country  ?" 

Well  might  he  ask  !  Clinging  along  the  side  of 
this  huge  spur  from  the  main  range,  his  men  could 
look  for  miles  and  miles  over  a  sea  of  tumbled  rock 
and  ravine,  of  jagged  precipices  and  stony  heights,  of 
barren  wastes  or  pine-crested  slopes.  Softened  as  it 
was  by  the  silvery  touch  of  the  moon,  there  yet  was  in 
the  entire  scene  the  very  abomination  of  desolation. 
Below  them  yawned  a  black  gorge  whose  depths  no 
eye  could  penetrate;  before  them  an  almost  impracti- 

2G 


302  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

cable  ascent  of  rock  and  tangled  underbrush ;  around 
them  nothing  that  was  not  savage  and  inhospitable. 
Already  the  keen  night  air  began  to  cut  in  to  the  very 
marrow,  and  the  men  huddled  together  for  warmth. 
"  What  stops  us  ?"  is  the  muttered  query. 

Back  come  Charley  and  Toyah.  They  are  wild  with 
excitement  now,  and  breathlessly  the  former  makes  his 
report.  Broken  as  is  his  English,  his  hearers  readily 
understand  him.  They  have  found  the  hostiles,  and  it 
is  a  big  rancheria.  "  Mebbe  so  two  hundred  Ton  to. 
No  can  tell,"  says  Charley.  "  Come,  captain ;  come 
see."  And  noiselessly  as  before  the  three  officers  creep 
forward  beyond  the  scouts,  following  the  lead  of  the 
agile  young  chief,  who,  nearly  as  naked  as  on  the  day 
he  was  born,  knows  neither  hunger,  thirst,  nor  cold 
in  the  face  of  such  a  glorious  prospect  as  lies  before 
him.  His  savage  soul  thirsts  for  war,  and  here  is  his 
opportunity. 

Some  two  hundred  yards  they  half  climb,  half  creep, 
and  at  last  arrive  at  a  ridge  or  point,  over  and  around 
which  they  are  bidden  to  look,  but  not  to  expose  head 
or  hand,  and  to  preserve  intense  silence.  Peering,  they 
see  a  shallow  depression  in  the  mountain.  It  lies  be 
tween  the  rocky  ridge  on  which  they  are  crouching  and 
a  corresponding  ridge  some  six  hundred  yards  beyond. 
It  is  well  filled  with  pines  and  stunted  oaks,  is  walled 
in  on  the  east  by  an  almost  precipitous  cliff,  \thile 
to  the  west  the  mountain-side  slopes  abruptly  down 
into  the  depths  of  that  unfathomable  gorge.  Save 
the  glistening  tree-tops  and  occasional  outcropping  of 
boulder,  all  is  darkness.  Yet  Charley  has  said  that 
there  lay  the  rancheria ;  that  in  that  hollow  were  prob- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  303 

ably  over  a  hundred  hostile  Apaches.  How  does  he 
know? 

Truscott  points  beneath  them.     "  Look  !"  he  says. 

The  mountain  breeze  is  beginning  to  sigh  through 
the  pines  and  to  stir  the  dead  leaves  among  the  crevices 
of  the  rocks.  As  a  little  gust  flutters  the  branches 
below  them,  from  a  dozen  different  points,  deep  down 
in  this  mountain  fastness,  little  showers  of  sparks  fly 
forth,  and  are  as  quickly  lost  to  sight.  They  spring 
from  the  smouldering  embers  of  tiny  fires,  invisible 
except  from  above,  and  this  it  is  that  now  betrays  the 
position  of  the  hostiles,  who,  sleeping  in  fancied  security, 
have  not  a  sentinel  to  oppose  to  the  coming  foe. 

For  five  minutes  Tanner  and  his  two  comrades  study 
the  situation  in  silence.  Some  of  the  fires  are  away  off 
to  the  left  under  the  cliff,  others  to  the  right  nearer 
the  ravine,  more  directly  in  front,  and  around  them  all 
they  know  the  Apaches  to  be  huddling.  It  is  a  large 
rancheria,  very  probably  Eskiminzin's,  the  very  one 
they  are  after. 

Now  come  the  dispositions  for  attack.  It  is  too  dark 
for  effective  work  down  in  that  hollow,  even  with  the 
moonlight  to  aid.  Then  too  a  bank  of  clouds  has  risen 
from  the  west  and  rolled  up  towards  the  zenith.  The 
moon  that  has  been  of  such  assistance  on  the  trail  will 
soon  be  totally  hidden,  and  in  the  darkness  that  must 
ensue  all  the  advantage  will  be  on  the  side  of  the  natives. 
Tanner  decides  to  wait  until  dawn.  Meantime,  his 
men  must  be  cared  for.  None  have  overcoats  or 
blankets :  to  light  fires  would  be  too  hazardous.  Orders 
are  sent  back  to  remain  where  they  are  in  such  shelter 
as  they  can  find  among  the  rocks,  while  he,  with  the 


304  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Indian  scouts  and  his  officers,  explores  the  ground  around 
the  rancheria.  An  hour's  patient,  noiseless  search  re 
sults  in  the  discovery  that  only  from  their  side,  the 
north,  and  for  a  short  space  on  the  west  can  the  rancheria 
be  approached.  The  main  entrance  or  a  trail"  to  it  is 
evidently  from  the  south,  and  they  have  come  to  it  by 
the  back  way.  And  now  the  moon  has  disappeared 
and  all  is  total  darkness.  It  is  impossible  to  send  a 
detachment  farther  up  the  mountain  to  get  around  in 
rear  of  the  position  of  the  Tontos.  The  darkness  pro 
hibits  that,  and  even  in  daylight,  three  hours  at  least, 
would  be  consumed  before  they  could  expect  to  reach 
the  desired  point.  Eagerly,  tirelessly  therefore,  they 
watch  their  prey.  The  hours  drag  along,  but  there  is 
no  relaxation  in  their  vigilance.  At  last,  towards  half- 
past  four  o'clock,  Tanner  directs  Sergeant  Winser  to 
take  his  scouts  down  to  the  right,  to  feel  their  way 
along  the  edge  of  the  ravine  and  get  as  far  forward 
towards  the  rancheria  as  possible.  Ray  calls  up  and 
stations  his  men  a  few  feet  apart  all  along  among  the 
rocks  from  the  ravine  to  the  centre,  while  Tanner's 
own  company  under  Lieutenant  Dana  are  disposed 
along  the  ridge  almost  as  far  as  the  base  of  the  cliff  to 
the  left.  Very  slowly  and  cautiously  has  this  been 
accomplished.  Hardly  a  sound  has  been  made  that 
could  be  heard  more  than  a  few  yards  away,  and  now, 
as  a  grayish  pallor  spreads  over  the  heavens  above,  and 
the  tree-tops  rustle  in  a  wind  that  grows  chiller  every 
minute,  Tanner's  little  command,  copying  the  tactics 
taught  by  long  experience  among  the  Indians  them 
selves,  lies  crouching  in  readiness  for  its  spring.  Near 
the  centre  of  the  line  and  in  front  of  all  is  the  captain 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  305 

himself,  kneeling  beside  a  huge  boulder;  with  him, 
prone  upon  the  ground,  lies  Truscott;  behind  them 
crouch  one  of  Tanner's  sergeants  and  "  the  Kid." 
Every  man  has  his  orders, — silence,  not  a  move,  not  a 
shot  until  the  captain  gives  the  word,  then  one  volley 
and  a  rush  in.  The  nearest  fire  opposite  Tanner's  posi 
tion  seems  about  three  hundred  yards  away,  perhaps 
not  quite  so  far.  Little  by  little  a  wan  light  is  stealing 
over  the  scene,  and  the  men  can  begin  to  distinguish 
one  another's  features ;  but  in  the  hollow  no  forms  are 
visible.  Tanner  looks  impatiently  at  his  watch  again. 

"  Quarter-past  five,"  he  mutters,  "  and  dark  as  Ere 
bus  down  there  yet." 

Truscott  makes  no  reply.  His  eyes  are  fixed  on  the 
glow  of  one  particular  fire  near  the  middle  of  the 
hollow.  He  puts  out  his  hand  and  lays  it  on  Tanner's 
arm,  pointing  with  the  other. 

Something  shadowy  and  dim  is  moving  down  there 
about  that  fire.  Twice  it  has  passed  between  them  and 
the  blaze.  Five  minutes  more  and  the  blaze  leaps  up 
ward,  as  though  freshly  fed,  and  the  snap  and  crackle 
of  burning  twigs  is  heard.  Distinctly  now  two  human 
forms  can  be  seen,  and  along  all  the  watching  line  there 
runs  a  thrill.  Some  men  cautiously  bring  their  car 
bines  to  full-cock  and  ready ;  others,  shivering  'twixt 
cold  and  excitement,  look  eagerly  towards  their  silent 
captain  but  stir  not. 

And  now  it  is  growing  so  light  that  objects  beyond 
the  rancheria  are  distinctly  visible,  and  along  the  out 
skirts  of  the  Indian  bivouac  before  them  the  men  can 
detect  the  outlines  of  rude  shelters.  Once  again  Trus 
cott  touches  Tanner's  arm  and  points  to  the  right  front 
u  2  ;•* 


306  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Between  the  trees  in  the  hollow  and  the  edge  of  the 
deep  ravine  a  level  shelf  or  bench,  covered  with  broken 
rocks,  is  now  to  be  seen,  and  close  to  the  edge  of  the 
trees  stands  the  figure  of  an  Indian.  For  a  moment 
he  is  motionless,  then,  gun  in  hand,  he  comes  lightly 
stepping  along  the  bench  straight  to  the  point  of  the 
ridge,  straight  to  where  Ray  is  crouching  with  his  men. 

"  Quick,  sergeant !  slip  down  there  and  caution  them 
not  to  fire,"  whispers  Tanner.  "Get  him  alive,  if 
possible." 

Then  follows  a  moment  of  intense  strain  and  excite 
ment.  Almost  every  man  in  the  command  can  see  that 
Indian  coming.  Every  one  knows  that  a  few  steps 
more  will  bring  him  right  in  among  Ray's  people. 
Then  what  will  be  the  result?  On  he  comes,  uncon 
scious  of  danger,  nearer,  nearer  to  his  foes.  Now  he  is 
clambering  up  the  rocks,  now  he  is  among  the  stunted 
trees.  Bang ! 

"Fire!"  rings  the  command.  A  crashing  volley 
answers,  a  wild  cheer  echoes  along  the  hill-side,  and 
from  their  cover,  scouts  and  troopers,  officers  and  men, 
come  rushing  into  the  hollow,  firing  as  they  run.  Of 
just  what  follows  no  one  man  can  give  accurate  account. 
A  few  minutes  of  hot,  blasting,  raging  work,  of  shrieks, 
shots,  and  uproar,  of  wild  dismay  among  the  startled 
Indians,  of  screaming  squaws  and  children,  of  rallying- 
cries  among  the  warriors,  who  spring  to  arms  and  open 
rapid  but  ill-aimed  fire.  In  rush  the  soldiers  among 
the  "  wickyups" ;  carbine  and  rifle,  revolver  and  arrow, 
for  two  desperate  minutes  are  dealing  death  in  every 
direction.  Even  in  their  surprise  the  Indians  fight 
savagely,  like  rats  in  a  corner;  but  though  their 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  307 

numbers  are  superior,  they  have  no  leadership,  no  organi 
zation,  no  time  to  think,  poor  devils !  In  two  minutes 
they  are  swept  from  their  camp  and  are  scattered  in 
flight  and  terror  along  the  mountain-side,  abandoning 
everything. 

For  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  the  noise  of  the  pursuit 
continues,  shouts  and  cries  and  scattering  shots,  but 
there  is  no  such  thing  as  catching  these  fleet-footed 
Apaches,  and  the  soldiers,  fatigued  with  their  long 
climb,  and  stiff  with  cold,  soon  give  it  up  and  straggle 
back  to  the  rancheria  they  have  won.  The  scouts  hang 
longer  at  the  heels  of  the  fleeing  Indians,  but  by  seven 
o'clock  the  entire  command  has  reassembled  amid  the 
ruins  of  the  Apache  camp,  and  the  fight  is  over. 

Such  being  the  general  features,  it  is  not  easy  to 
relate  individual  experiences.  All  was  so  sudden. 
The  young  Indian  who  had  prematurely  brought  on 
the  conflict  by  walking  straight  in  among  the  men  was 
the  first  prisoner,  Ray  and  the  men  near  him  having 
scientifically  pounced  upon  and  wellnigh  choked  him  to 
death  before  he  knew  where  he  was ;  but  in  the  strug 
gle  somebody's  carbine  was  discharged,  and  as  that 
meant  an  alarm  to  the  whole  Apache  band,  Tanner  at 
once  gave  the  order  to  fire,  and  with  the  supplementary 
shout  of  "  Come  on,  men  I"  had  rushed  down  the  slope 
towards  the  rancheria,  Truscott  close  beside  him.  On 
the  right  the  scouts  and  some  of  Ray's  men  had  worked 
so  far  to  the  front  as  to  be  able  to  pour  in  a  rapid  cross 
fire,  so  that  the  resistance  to  the  main  attack  was  neither 
vigorous  nor  sustained ;  nevertheless,  some  few  Indians 
had  made  good  use  of  their  arms,  one  old  scoundrel 
never  leaving  his  "  wickyup,"  but  quietly  squatting 


308  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

there,  drove  arrow  after  arrow  at  the  leaders  of  the 
charging  soldiers  until  a  bullet  laid  him  low,  and  one  of 
these  arrows  has  struck  Jack  Truscott  full  in  the  breast. 

Returning  from  the  pursuit  somewhat  "  blown,"  Mr. 
Ray  encountered  his  first  sergeant  and  one  or  two  men 
kneeling  by  the  prostrate  form  of  a  comrade. 

"  Who  is  it  ?"  he  asked,  anxiously. 

"  Kerrigan,  sir.  Stone  dead.  Shot  through  the 
heart,  I  think." 

"  I'm  very  sorry,"  said  Ray,  gravely.  "  Have  we 
lost  many,  do  you  know  ?" 

"  They  say  two  of  Captain  Tanner's  fellers  are  killed, 
sir,  and  there's  three  or  four  wounded.  Loot'n'nt  Trus- 
cott's  hit,  sir,"  said  one  of  the  men. 

"Truscott!"  exclaimed  Ray,  springing  to  his  feet. 
"Where  is  he?" 

"  Over  there  among  the  wickyups,  sir."  And,  pick 
ing  his  way  through  smoke  and  smouldering  ember, 
occasionally  stumbling  over  the  stiffening  corpse  of  some 
half -naked  savage,  Ray  presently  came  upon  Truscott 
himself,  quietly  seated  at  the  foot  of  a  tree,  looking  a 
trifle  pale,  perhaps,  but  placid  as  ever,  while  one  of  the 
men  was  cautiously  unlacing  his  hunting-shirt. 

<f>  What  hit  you,  Jack  ?"  said  Ray,  grasping  his  hand. 

"Nothing  but  a  blunt  arrow,  luckily.  There  lies 
the  archer,"  said  Truscott,  pointing  to  the  body  of  a 
hideous  old  Indian  lying  under  the  rude  shelter  of 
branches  and  twigs  that  had  been  his  temporary  home. 

"  You've  bled  a  good  deal,  anyhow.  Here,  Hogan, 
let  me  do  that."  And,  kneeling  before  his  friend,  Ray 
with  nimble  fingers  unfastened  the  heavy  shirt  and 
threw  it  open  at  the  throat.  "  Why,  Jack,  you're  worse 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  309 

than  a  stuck  pig,  and  bleeding  yet.  Hogan,  get  me 
some  water,  and  tell  the  doctor  to  come  here." 

"  The  doctor's  busy,  Ray ;  you  can  patch  it  up  easy 
enough.  The  thing  only  glanced  on  a  rib,  and  hasn't 
done  any  harm  to  speak  of."  But  even  as  he  uttered 
the  words  Truscott's  head  drooped  wearily  and  his  eyes 
half  closed,  a  deeper  pallor  spread  over  face  and  brow. 
Ray  threw  his  arm  about  his  neck  and  drew  the  droop 
ing  head  upon  his  shoulder.  "  You  must  be  mighty 
faint,  old  man ;  lie  still.  We'll  have  some  water  in  a 
minute." 

With  that  he  threw  back  Truscott's  shirt  with  his 
right  hand  and  opened  the  torn  undershirt.  All  was 
soaked  with  blood.  Something  lying  wet  and  warm 
upon  the  broad  chest  stopped  his  hand,  and  Ray  drew 
it  forth, — a  dainty,  filmy,  embroidered  handkerchief, 
dripping  with  the  warm  current  from  Truscott's  .veins, 
and  in  one  corner,  half  crimsoned,  half  spotless  white, 
was  embroidered  the  simple  name — "Grace." 

There  was  dead  silence  an  instant.  Then  Tanner 
and  Mr.  Dana  came  running  to  them.  Ray  hurriedly 
thrust  the  handkerchief  back  into  Truscott's  bosom  and 
held  out  his  bloody  hand. 

"  Don't  worry.  He  is  only  weak  from  loss  of  blood." 
And  Jack,  hearing  their  anxious  voices,  opened  his  eyes 
and  looked  up  with  a  grin.  Then  the  doctor  came,  and 
speedily  the  flow  was  stanched,  the  necessary  bandages 
applied,  and,  revived  by  a  nip  of  brandy  from  the  doc 
tor's  flask,  the  adjutant  sat  up,  while,  as  Ray  expressed 
it,  "  Tanner  took  account  of  stock." 

Fifteen  Indians  lay  dead  among  the  ruins  of  the 
rancheria,  a  few  more  lay  among  the  rocks  in  the  direc- 


310  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

tion  of  their  flight..  Three  squaws  and  some  children 
were  prisoners,  and  from  them  it  was  learned  that  the 
band  was  indeed  that  of  Eskiminzin,  that  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty,  mostly  warriors,  were  there  encamped, 
and  that  Eskiminzin  himself  had  escaped.  On  the 
other  hand,  though  a  severe  punishment  had  been  in 
flicted  on  the  Indians,  and  they  had  lost  their  fastness 
and  all  their  supplies  and  plunder,  Tanner  was  distressed 
to  find  that  two  of  his  men  were  killed  outright  and 
several  quite  severely  wounded.  He  had  hoped  by 
total  surprise  to  have  "jumped  upon"  the  village  be 
fore  the  Indians  could  really  get  to  their  arms,  but  that 
unlucky  single  shot  had  roused  the  rancheria,  and  in 
charging  across  the  open  slope  into  the  Indian  position 
he  and  the  men  with  him  had  been  much  exposed.  It 
was  not  altogether  satisfactory,  and  Tanner's  plans  were 
quickly  decided.  Truscott  with  a  sufficient  guard  would 
convey  the  five  wounded  by  easy  marches  back  to  Camp 
Sandy,  while  he,  with  the  rest  of  the  command,  would 
push  on  in  pursuit  of  Eskimiuzin.  Meantime,  an  In 
dian  runner  would  go  back  with  his  report  of  the 
engagement. 


WINNING  HIS  SPUES.  3JJ 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

FOUR  clays  afterward,  at  even  an  earlier  hour,  just 
as  the  first  trembling  of  the  willows  along  the  stream 
announced  the  stir  of  the  morning  breeze,  two  troopers 
forded  the  Sandy  below  the  garrison  and  rode  slowly 
up  the  slope  to  the  parade.  A  light  was  burning  at  the 
guard-house,  and  others  were  gleaming  in  the  company 
kitchens  where  the  cooks  were  already  at  work  getting 
coffee  and  breakfast  for  the  men,  for  old  Catnip  was  a 
firm  believer  in  the  theory  that  a  soldier  was  far  more 
apt  to  take  an  interest  in  the  grooming  of  his  horse 
when  his  own  stomach  was  comfortably  filled  than  when 
he  was  suffering  for  his  breakfast.  As  a  consequence, 
stable-duty  was  not  the  bugbear  in  the  — th  that  it  was 
in  other  regiments,  where  the  men  had  to  spend  an  hour 
or  more,  shivering  and  hungry  and  cross,  spattering 
away  with  curry-comb  and  brush,  and  swearing  sotto 
voce  at  their  steeds  in  the  same  listless  and  perfunctory 
manner  with  which  they  would  have  cleaned  several 
muddy  pairs  of  boots.  In  Pelham's  regiment  the  prin 
cipal  difficulty  seemed  to  be  that  of  restraining  the  men 
from  whistling  or  singing  at  their  work, — a  thing  which 
could  not  be  permitted,  because  it  was  unprofessional 
from  a  military  point  of  view. 

Inclining  to  the  right,  the  leading  horseman  rode  at 
rapid  walk  along  under  officers'  row,  under  the  colonel's 


312  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

quarters,  at  an  upper  window  of  which  he  gazed  lin- 
geriugly  as  he  passed ;  under  in  succession  all  the  others 
until  he  came  to  the  northernmost  building.  Here  he 
dismounted,  slowly  and  stiffly,  and  the  other  horseman, 
dismounting  also,  sprang  forward  and  took  the  reins. 

Stepping  to  the  door,  the  former  turned  the  knob  and 
pushed,  but  the  door  was  locked.  Going  around  to  at 
side-window,  he  knocked  upon  the  pane,  and  called, — 

"  Glenham  I" 

No  answer.  Thrice  he  knocked  and  called,  and  still 
there  came  no  reply.  Jack  Truscott  had  returned  to  find 
himself  locked  out  of  his  own  house. 

"Go  and  ask  the  corporal  of  the  guard  to  come 
here,"  he  said,  wearily,  seating  himself  upon  the  steps 
and  taking  the  reins  of  the  patient  horses.  His  com 
rade  walked  rapidly  away,  and  Truscott,  leaning  his 
head  upon  his  hand,  fell  to  thinking  of  the  strange  re 
ception.  His  heart  was  sore,  and  vague  distress  and 
perplexity  had  possessed  him.  Immediately  after  the 
fight  Tanner  had  penned  a  despatch  to  Colonel  Pelham 
announcing  the  result  of  the  affair,  detailing  his  plans, 
and  requesting  him  to  send  the  hospital  steward  with 
assistance  to  meet  the  wounded  whom  Truscott  was 
escorting,  two  of  whom  were  so  badly  hit  as  to  be  re 
garded  as  in  a  dangerous  condition;  yet  with  the 
prospect  of  another  battle  before  him,  he  could  not 
permit  his  only  medical  officer  to  leave  the  command. 
The  post-surgeon  would  undoubtedly  come  forward  to 
meet  the  party, — so  argued  the  doctor  on  duty  with 
him, — and  meantime,  carried  on  the  springy  mule-litters, 
improvised  out  of  saplings,  the  wounded  would  do  as 
well  as  they  could  anywhere.  For  three  days  Truscott 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  313 

had  plodded  along  in  great  pain  and  weariness  himself, 
and  in  deeper  anxiety  on  account  of  one  of  his  men, 
who  seemed  sinking  rapidly.  At  last,  on  the  evening 
of  the  third  day,  he  had  reached  Fossil  Creek,  where, 
at  the  latest,  aid  should  have  reached  him,  but  aid  there 
was  none,  and  there  the  soldier  died.  Taking  only  an 
hour's  rest,  weak  and  weary  though  he  was,  the  adju 
tant  decided  to  push  right  on  to  Sandy  by  a  night  ride, 
and  secure  the  assistance  so  greatly  needed  by  the  other 
men. 

Presently  the  corporal  of  the  guard  came  hurrying 
forward. 

"  Who  is  officer  of  the  day,  corporal  ?" 

"  Lieutenant  Glenham,  sir." 

"  Lieutenant  Glenham  !  Why !  there  is  no  light 
in  his  room,  and  I  cannot  wake  him." 

"  Beg  pardon,  sir.  The  lieutenant  has  moved.  He 
lives  in  Lieutenant  Dana's  quarters." 

Truscott  sat  for  an  instant  in  stunned  silence.  When 
he  spoke  his  voice  was  stern  and  strange. 

"  Go  and  tell  him  I  am  here,  and  ask  for  the  key  of 
my  quarters." 

In  two  minutes  the  corporal  returned  with  the  key. 

"Is  Mr.  Glenham  coming?"  asked  Truscott. 

"  He  didn't  say,  sir.  I  told  him  you  was  here,  and 
he  didn't  answer." 

"Then  go  and  wake  the  post-surgeon.  Give  him 
my  compliments,  and  ask  if  I  can  see  him  at  once. 
Take  the  horses  to  the  stable,"  he  added  to  the  orderly, 
then  unlocked  his  door,  entered  the  dark  sitting-room, 
and,  after  some  fumbling  on  the  mantel,  found  a  match 
and  struck  a  light. 

o  27 


\ 
314  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

All  was  cold,  cheerless,  desolate.  The  hearth  was 
piled  with  dead  embers  and  ashes.  Even  the  dogs  had 
deserted  the  house.  On  the  centre-table  lay  a  paste 
board  box  tied  with  ribbon,  and  the  box  was  addressed 
to  him — in  her  handwriting. 

Quickly  he  tore  it  open.  Wrapped  in  tissue-paper 
lay  his  silver  spurs ;  but  with  them,  not  a  line,  not  a 
word. 

When  the  surgeon  arrived,  some  ten  or  fifteen  min 
utes  later,  the  trumpets  were  just  sounding  the  first 
call  for  reveille,' and  Jack  Truscott  was  sitting  motion 
less  in  his  great  easy-chair,  his  chin  upon  his  hands,  his 
elbows  on  his  knees,  his  eyes  staring  vacantly  into  the 
empty  fireplace.  Not  until  the  doctor  had  called  him 
twice  by  name,  and  shaken  him  by  the  shoulder,  did 
he  rouse  himself.  One  glance  in  his  wan  face  was 
sufficient  for  the  keen  professional  eye.  He  cut  Trus- 
cott  short  in  his  attempt  to  detail  the  events  of  the  past 
week. 

"  Never  mind  that  now, — swallow  this,"  he  said,  as 
he  poured  out  some  brandy  from  the  decanter.  "  I'll 
send  the  steward  with  the  ambulance  and  supplies  at 
once,  and  gallop  down  the  valley  myself  after  I  get 
you  settled.  Of  course  no  messenger  has  got  in,  or  we 
would  have  met  you  forty-eight  hours  ago.  Now,  off 
with  these  clothes.  Hurry  up  with  that  fire,  Hogan. 
I  want  warm  water  quick  as  it  can  be  had/' 

In  vain  Truscott  protested  that  he  must  see  the  col 
onel  and  make  his  report. 

"  Til  do  all  your  reporting  for  you,  and  to  begin  with 
report  you  sick  from  wound ;  and  as  I  want  no  brain- 
fever  patient  on  my  hands,  you'll  get  to  bed  just  as 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  315 

quick  as  I  can  dress  that  scratch,  as  you  call  it."  So 
talked  the  doctor,  as  he  rapidly  and  skilfully  divested 
Truscott  of  his  blood-stiffened  garments.  "  Mighty 
lucky  for  you  that  was  a  blunted  arrow,  man ;  you 
would  have  been  spitted  otherwise ;  that's  a  jagged  tear 
as  it  is.  What  had  you  on  besides  these  things? 
Nothing?  That's  queer!  Oh,  a  handkerchief  in 
there,  was  there?  Of  course  that  checked  it  a  little, 
but  not  much." 

At  last  the  process  of  sponging  and  rebandaging 
was  complete,  and  Mr.  Truscott  was  snugly  stowed 
away  in  bed.  It  had  been  a  desperately  hard  ordeal, 
this  interview  with  the  doctor ;  for  if  ever  man  wanted 
to  be  all  alone  and  to  calmly  think  over  his  troubles, 
that  man  was  Jack  Truscott.  But  while  he  thoroughly 
intended  that  his  patient  should  be  left  alone,  it  was 
not  part  of  the  doctor's  programme  that  he  should  be 
allowed  to  brood  over  his  perplexities  and  distress,  and 
"  Pills"  saw  clearly  enough  that  the  mental  condition 
of  the  adjutant  was  infinitely  worse  than  the  bodily. 
An  attendant  from  the  hospital  had  brought  over  some 
medicines,  and  then  been  sent  in  search  of  Major  Buck- 
etts.  The  latter  came  with  anxiety  and  promptitude, 
and  the  doctor  met  him  at  the  outer  door. 

"  Come  in,  Bucketts.  I've  got  Truscott  to  bed  now, 
and  first  he  must  be  allowed  to  make  his  report  to  you 
for  the  colonel,  then  I  want  him  to  go  to  sleep  and  stay 
asleep,  and  to  remain  utterly  undisturbed  during  the 
day  I'm  going  at  once  to  Fossil  Creek  to  meet  the 
wounded,  and  I  want  you  to  see  to  it  that  Truscott  is 
kept  quiet,  and  not  one  word  of  this  business  that  has 
been  going  on  must  be  allowed  to  reach  him."  Bucketts 


316  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

nodded  grimly,  and  then,  with  the  doctor,  softly  entered 
Jack's  room,  and  the  two  friends  gripped  hands. 

Truscott  told  his  story  uninterrupted,  and  the  quar 
termaster  listened  to  every  detail  until  it  was  finished. 
Then  he  spoke. 

"  Now,  Jack,  I  understand  it  fully,  and  can  give  it  to 
the  colonel  just  as  you  gave  it  to  rne.  Everything  is 
going  smoothly  in  the  office.  There  isn't  a  thing  to  de 
mand  your  attention,  and  all  you've  got  to  do  is  to  get 
thoroughly  rested.  Now  I'm  off,  but  every  few  hours 
I'll  be  over  to  see  if  you  want  anything,  and  there  will 
be  a  hospital  attendant  in  the  next  room  all  day.  I  tell 
you  the  colonel  and  the  chief  will  be  tickled  to  death 
to  hear  what  a  larruping  you  gave  Eskiminzin." 

Then  the  doctor  gave  him  a  sleeping  potion,  dark 
ened  the  room,  and  once  more  bent  over  him. 

"  Jack,  it  is  necessary  that  you  should  rest  to-day. 
I'll  be  back  to-night,  and  will  let  you  up  then,  but 
meantime  sleep  all  you  can.  Now  I'm  going  to  see 
Mrs.  Tanner,  who  is  very  anxious  about  the  captain, 
and  will  rejoice  in  knowing  of  his  safety.  Then  I'll 
be  ready  to  start  down  the  valley." 

Then  fatigue  and  suffering  were  soon  forgotten. 
Hour  after  hour  throughout  that  chill  December  day 
Jack  Truscott  slept  peacefully.  Waking  towards  even 
ing,  he  found  that  the  attendant  had  set  a  little  table  by 
his  bedside,  and  that  besides  the  conventional  tea  and 
toast  from  the  mess  some  dainty,  tempting  dishes  were 
there  in  readiness  for  him. 

"  Who  sent  these  ?"  he  asked. 

"  Mrs.  Tanner,  sir,  and  Mrs.  Wilkins.  The  quar 
termaster  has  been  here  several  times,  and  the  colonel 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  317 

called,  and  lots  of  the  officers  have  been  here  to  ask 
how  you  were,  but  my  orders  was  not  to  let  you  be 
disturbed." 

And  so,  feeling  hungry,  Jack  took  his  tea,  and  when 
lie  next  woke  it  was  late  in  the  night,  and  then  he  had 
nothing  to  do  for  it  but  lie  awake  and  think,  and  he 
could  think  of  nothing  but  why  those  spurs  had  come 
back  to  him  in  that  ungracious  way,  and  why  had 
Glenham  abandoned  his  roof. 

It  was  late  on  the  following  day  when  the  doctor 
reached  him,  and  found  him  much  better.  Truscott 
insisted  upon  getting  up  and  dressing,  and  was  sur 
prised  to  find  that  the  doctor  seemed  most  unwilling  to 
allow  him  to  go  out.  Being  determined,  however,  he 
carried  his  point,  for,  except  a  certain  degree  of  weak 
ness  consequent  upon  loss  of  blood,  and  the  painful  and 
fatiguing  journey,  no  reason  against  it  could  be  assigned  ; 
but,  while  he  was  dressing,  the  doctor  went  forth  and 
held  a  rapid  and  earnest  conversation  with  two  or  three 
officers  whom  he  met.  There  were  others  to  whom  he 
did  not  stop  to  speak  at  all,  but  proceeded  on  his  way 
to  the  colonel's.  Mrs.  Pelham  and  Lieutenant  Glenham 
were  seated  on  the  piazza. 

"And  how  is  Mr.  Truscott  now?"  inquired  her 
ladyship. 

"  Rested  and  doing  very  well,  madame,  and  yet  he 
must  be  very  prudent.  Can  I  see  the  colonel  ?" 

"You  will  find  him  in  the  parlor,  doctor."  And  as 
he  entered  the  house  she  turned  to  Mr.  Glenham : 
"  Now,  Arthur,  be  firm  and  lose  no  time.  You  are 
to  ride  in  half  an  hour,  so  it  had  better  be  settled  at 


27* 


THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Glenham  rose,  and  merely  saying,  "  I  suppose  you 
are  right/7  with  a  countenance  in  which  perturbation 
and  distress  of  mind  were  vividly  portrayed,  walked 
uneasily  along  the  row.  Nearing  the  adjutant's  quar 
ters  he  looked  back.  There  on  the  southernmost  piazza 
stood  Mrs.  Pelham  watching  him.  His  face  turned  a 
shade  paler,  his  teeth  set,  and  he  sprang  up  the  steps 
and  knocked  at  the  door  which  for  over  a  year  he  had 
banged  open  or  shut  without  formality  of  any  kind. 
It  was  opened  by  the  hospital  attendant. 

"Can  I  see  Lieutenant  Truscott?"  he  asked. 

"  Hullo,  Glenham !  Come  right  in.  Glad  to  see 
you,"  rang  Truscott's  voice  from  the  sitting-room,  and 
with  extended  hand  and  welcoming  face  he  stepped  to 
the  doorway. 

In  a  constrained,  embarrassed,  half-dazed  manner 
Glenham  took  the  hand  and  dropped  it. 

"  I  came  to  see  you  yesterday,  Truscott,  but  they  said 
you  were  not  to  be  disturbed ;"  and  as  he  spoke  he  stood 
uneasily  at  the  door. 

"Come  in,  Glenham,"  said  Truscott.  "Close  the 
door  and  wait  outside,"  he  continued,  turning  to  the 
soldier.  "  Come  in  Jiere."  And  slowly  Truscott  turned 
again  and  looked  him  searchingly  in  the  face.  The 
younger  man  could  not  meet  his  eye.  He  went  and 
leaned  his  elbow  upon  the  sideboard,  his  head  upon 
his  hand. 

"  You  have  something  to  tell  me,  youngster,  and  you 
don't  know  how  to  begin,"  said  Truscott,  gravely  and 
kindly.  "What  is  it?" 

For  a  moment  Glenham  answered  not.  His  eyes 
were  fixed  on  a  picture  of  the  Yosemite  that  hung 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  319 

upon  the  wall,  but  he  tapped  his  top-boot  impatiently 
with  a  little  stick  he  carried.  At  last  he  broke  forth, 
straightening  himself  and  speaking  rapidly ;  speaking 
as  though  by  rote,  as  though  it  were  a  lesson  he  had 
learned  and  was  now  repeating ;  speaking  in  desperate 
haste,  as  though  afraid  either  to  stop  or  to  be  stopped, 
us  though  he  feared  his  resolution  might  fail  him. 

"  I  have  something  to  say.  It  is  hard  to  do  it,  too, 
but  it  must  be  done.  Your  coming  back  suffering  and 
wounded  makes  it  all  the  harder.  Truscott,  I  thought 
you  were  the  best  friend  I  had  in  the  regiment.  I 
thought  you  were  the  truest  gentleman  in  it,  but  the 
events  that  have  come  to  light  recently  have  proven  to 
me  that  you  have  not  been  fair  and  square  with  me, 
that  you  have  not  acted  as  a  friend ;  and,  as  for  the 
other  matters,  I  have  nothing  to  say,  except  that  you 
cannot  expect  me  to  believe  in  your  friendship  or  in 
you  as  I  did.  The  less  said  the  better,  I  suppose,  and 
so  I  moved  into  other  quarters.  Even  now  I  don't 
like  to  have  you  think  that  I  am  ungrateful  for  all  the 
kindness  you  certainly  showed  me  up  to  this  fall,  but, 
in  future,  our  ways  lie  apart."  And  having  said  his 
piece,  he  raised  his  eyes,  and  for  the  first  time  looked 
Truscott  in  the  face.  "  And  now,"  he  said,  "  I  have 
come  to  ask  for  Miss  Pel  ham's  whip." 

While  he  was  speaking,  the  face  of  his  listener  was  a 
study.  Pain,  incredulity,  indignation,  and  deep  sorrow, 
all  were  depicted  in  the  set,  stern  expression  that  fas 
tened  on  his  features.  Truscott  listened  without  one 
word,  but  very,  very  pale  he  grew,  until  her  name  was 
mentioned.  Then  the  blood  leaped  to  his  forehead, 
fire  flashed  in  his  eyes,  his  hands  clinched,  and  Glen- 


320  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

ham,  who  for  an  instant  had  met  his  gaze,  looked 
nervously  away. 

For  a  few  seconds  there  was  dead  silence.  Glenham 
could  hear  the  throb  of  his  own  heart.  Then  Truscott 
spoke.  Measured,  calm,  and  slow,  his  words,  neverthe 
less,  were  sharp  and  clear.  There  was  not  a  trace  of 
irritation  in  voice  or  manner,  neither  was  there  aught 
that  was  repellent.  The  self-control  was  simply  perfect. 

"Let  me  clearly  understand  you,  Glenham.  Do 
you  mean  to  say  that  you  have  fully  satisfied  your 
self  that  I  am  no  longer  worthy  your  confidence  and 
trust?" 

"Well,  not  that;  not "Well,  what  I  mean  is 

that  you  have  behaved  neither  as  a  friend  to  me,  and, 
worse  than  that,  to — to  others  who  trusted  you  even 
more,"  said  Glenham,  desperately. 

And  still  Truscott  leaned  there  on  the  mantel,  look 
ing  calmly  at  him. 

"'And  your  information,  Glenham.  Is  it  the  re 
sult  of  your  own  observation,  or  what  you  have  been 
told?" 

"It  comes  to  me  in  such  a  way  that  I  cannot  dis 
credit  it,"  said  Glenham,  with  changing  color  and 
manifest  hesitation. 

"  That  is  "dodging  the  question.  Have  you  seen  01 
do  you  know  of  any  act  of  mine  to  warrant  your  lan 
guage,  or  is  it  all  hearsay  evidence?" 

"  I  have  seen  nothing,  but  what  I  have  heard  is — is 
undeniable." 

"  Then  on  purely  one-sided  statements  you  have  de 
cided  upon  your  course  in  the  matter.  By  every  right 
1  am  entitled  to  hear,  and  to  hear  explicitly,  what  your 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  321 

allegations  are.  There  are  at  least  two  sides  to  every 
story,  as  you  ought  to  know ;  and  what  I  had  a  right 
to  expect  of  you  was  that  you  would  never  have  con 
demned  me  unheard.  You  have  done  so,  however,  and 
now — let  it  stand.  No,"  he  continued,  holding  up  his 
hand,  as  Glenham  attempted  to  speak ;  "  I  have  now  no 
desire  whatever  to  hear  or  to  answer  your  accusations. 
The  time  has  passed.  What  is  this  about  Miss  Pel- 
ham's  whip  ?"  he  broke  off,  abruptly. 

"  I  have  come  for  it,"  said  Glenham,  sullenly. 

"  Did  Miss  Pelham  send  you  for  it  ?" 

"N — o;  but  it  is  her  wish  to  have  it.  She  has 
returned  your  spurs,  and — I  consider  it  my  duty  to 
reclaim  it  of  you." 

"Your  duty!     How  so?" 

"  Miss  Pelham  and  myself  are  engaged." 

There  was  again  a  moment  of  intense  silence.  Then 
Truscott  stepped  to  the  wardrobe,  took  therefrom  the 
dainty  whip  with  its  loop  of  dark-blue  ribbon,  and 
calmly  handed  it  to  Glenham  without  a  word. 

Glenham  took  it  and  moved  uneasily,  wretchedly, 
towards  the  door.  There  he  paused  and  looked  back. 
Truscott  had  resumed  his  position  at  the  mantel-shelf; 
very  pale,  very  stern  he  looked,  but  there  was  not  the 
tremor  of  a  nerve  or  muscle.  And  Glenham  was 
trembling  from  head  to  foot,  and  knew  it. 

"  Is  there  anything  further  ?"  asked  Truscott,  calmly. 

Again  Glenham  hesitated.     At  last  he  muttered, — 

"  No,  I  believe  not.     Good -morning." 

And  with  that  he  turned  and  left.  Truscott  waited 
until  the  sound  of  his  footsteps  died  away.  Then  he 
closed  and  locked  his  door,  stretched  himself  at  full 


322.  FHE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

length  in  his  easy  reclining-chair,  and,  with  his  head 
thrown  back,  flung  his  arms  over  his  eyes  and  lay  there 
in  silence. 

Meantime,  Mr.  Glenham  returned  to  the  colonel's 
quarters  with  his  prize,  and  Camp  Sandy  turned  out  to 
see  him  and  \\isfiancee  go  forth  on  their  ride. 

It  was  a  lovely  December  day,  so  bright  and  warm 
down  in  that  deep,  sheltered  valley  that  in  many  of  the 
quarters  the  windows  were  thrown  open,  and  the  flies 
were  buzzing  about  as  though  jubilant  over  a  renewed 
lease  of  a  life  that,  after  all,  was  not  so  much  worth 
living.  The  ladies  were  out  in  force,  three  only  being 
conspicuous  by  their  absence  from  the  front  of  the  row. 
Mesdames  Canker,  Tanner,  and  Wilkins  were  not 
visible,  and  when  the  latter  was  not  to  be  seen  among 
the  gatherings  along  the  piazzas  something  extraordi 
nary  must  be  going  on.  Something  extraordinary  was 
going  on  in  this  particular  instance, — Mrs.  Wilkins  was 
devoting  herself  to  Mrs.  Tanner,  who  was  ill. 

She  had  been  failing  for  several  days  it  seems,  and 
had  not  been  at  all  well  since  the  night  her  husband 
marched  away  with  his  command.  The  doctor  went 
frequently  to  see  her,  and  was  plainly  anxious  on  her 
account,  but  the  ladies  had  held  aloof.  That  it  was  the 
proper  and  conventional  thing  for  them  to  accost  the 
perturbed  physician — who  was  blessed  with  no  wife  of 
his  own — with  a  perfunctory  inquiry  as  to  how  Mrs. 
Tanner  was  getting  along  seemed  to  be  conceded,  but 
that  it  would  be  improper  and  unconventional  in  the 
last  degree  to  go  and  visit  the  sick  in  this  particular 
instance  was  apparently  a  unanimous  opinion.  He 
noted  with  much  perplexity  that  the  fair  lips  that 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  323 

framed  the  name  of  the  gentle  sufferer  were  pursed  up, 
as  though  shrinking  from  the  probable  besmirching 
that  would  follow  its  mere  mention.  What  could  it 
mean  ? 

Briefly,  it  meant  this, — and  the  sooner  the  details  of 
this  dismal  episode  are  related  and  done  with  forever, 
the  sooner  will  our  story  be  finished  and  the  better  will 
it  be  for  all  parties  concerned. 

Colonel  Pelham,  it  will  be  remembered,  had  sum 
moned  Captain  Canker  in-doors  after  giving  his  adju 
tant  instructions  to  prepare  for  his  ride  in  search  of 
Tanner's  column,  and  a  very  sad  and  trying  conversa 
tion,  to  the  colonel  at  least,  had  taken  place. 

"  Of  course  you  noticed  where  Truscott  came  from ; 
I  saw  you  did,"  said  the  colonel. 

The  captain  bowed  assent  with  much  solemnity  of 
mien,  but  said  nothing,  and  the  commanding  officer, 
motioning  him  to  a  seat,  paced  up  and  down  the  floor. 
Grace  had  fled  to  her  room,  and  Mrs.  Pelham,  wide 
awake  by  this  time,  divining  that  something  unusual 
was  going  on,  concluded  that  she  wanted  a  glass  of 
water,  or  anything  in  the  dining-room,  slipped  into  her 
wrapper  and  down  the  back -stairs  through  the  kitchen. 
The  front-stairs  always  creaked  under  her  weight,  poor 
lady,  and  of  course  she  did  not  wish  to  be  seen  in  guch 
toilet.  Once  in  the  dining-room  it  was  no  difficult 
matter  to  hear  the  conversation  going  on  in  the  parlor. 
It  was  very  brief.  Captain  Canker  went  away  with 
the  injunction  of  secrecy  on  his  lips,  but,  with  wild  ex 
citement  and  unmistakable  delight,  Mrs.  Pelham  heard 
enough  to  convince  her  that  Mr.  Truscott  had  been  at 
Captain  Tanner's  quarters  long  after  midnight,  and  was 


324  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

virtually  detected  there  by  her  husband.  More  than 
that,  she  had  heard  him  say  to  Captain  Canker, — 

"  Then  you  will  call  upon  him  for  an  explanation 
immediately  upon  his  return,  and  of  course,  if  it  prove 
unsatisfactory,  his  resignation  must  follow." 

Poor  Pelham  !  Attached  as  he  was  to  his  adjutant, 
the  insidious  statements  of  his  wife,  the  letter  of  Mrs. 
Tread  well,  the  admission  of  Captain  Canker  that  the 
matter  had  been  a  source  of  regimental  gossip  for  a 
long  time  past,  and  finally,  the  very  suspicious  appear 
ance  of  Mr.  Truscott  at  Tanner's  quarters  during  Tan 
ner's  absence,  and  long  after  other  people  had  gone  to 
bed,  had  together  formed  a  combination  too  powerful 
for  him.  "  I  cannot  bear  to  think  it  of  him/'  said  he, 
"  but  the  evidence  is  such  that  makes  it  at  least  neces 
sary  that  he  should  leave  this  post." 

An  hour  after,  when  he  came  up-stairs  to  his  room, 
Mrs.  Pelham  had  waylaid  him  and  added  fresh  infor 
mation  of  her  own  against  Truscott,  who  was  then 
speeding  on  his  mission  down  the  valley. 

"  Nothing  must  be  said  of  this,  Dolly,"  said  the 
colonel,  very  miserably.  "  Of  course,  Mr.  Truscott 
will  be  called  to  account  on  his  return,  and  Captain 
Tanner  will  be  properly  notified." 

Nothing  said  of  it,  indeed!  Before  Jack  Truscott 
was  twelve  hours  on  his  way  mysterious  whisperings 
were  to  be  heard  among  the  denizens  of  officers'  row. 
Ladies  were  flitting  to  and  fro ;  significant  glances  shot 
from  eye  to  eye;  such  words  as  "How  shocking!" 
might  have  been  heard  murmured  by  rosy  lips.  Even 
those  dear  girls,  the  Crandalls,  down  for  a  few  days' 
visit  from  Prescott,  were  observed  to  take  a  lively  in- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  325 

terest  in  the  murmured  confab  between  the  matrons  on 
Mrs.  Turner's  piazza.  Then  the  colonel  had  been 
moody  and  forlorn  at  the  office,  had  hardly  spoken  to 
Bucketts,  had  had  a  long,  confidential  talk  with  Cap 
tain  Canker,  with  whom  he  rarely  consorted,  and  Lieu 
tenant  Hunter  had  been  sent  for,  and  the  three  were 
closeted  together  for  an  hour,  and  at  afternoon  stables 
were  again  seen  in  close  conversation ;  and  Mrs.  Pel- 
ham  had  spent  that  hour  at  Mrs.  Turner's,  with  her 
and  with  Mrs.  Raymond,  and  later  had  had  a  long  talk 
with  Glenham ;  but  Grace, — Grace  did  not  leave  her 
room  all  day. 

Nothing  said  of  it,  indeed !  Inside  of  forty-eight 
hours :  even  while  Truscott  lay  weak  and  pale  from 
loss  of  blood  down  under  the  cold  rocks  of  the  Black 
Mesa;  even  while  Mrs.  Tanner,  lonely  and  heart-sick, 
was  lying  on  a  bed  of  pain,  gasping  for  breath,  and 
longing  for  the  presence  of  her  devoted  husband. 
Even  while  he,  spurring  from  one  savage  conflict,  was 
about  leading  his  men  in  a  gallant  dash  upon  a  con 
cealed  and  powerful  foe, — this  was  how  it  was  told  to 
more  than  one  household  at  department  headquarters. 
Even  the  virgin  modesty  of  one,  perhaps  both,  of 
those  dear  Crandall  girls  had  not  been  proof  against 
the  delirious  rapture  of  imparting  such  tidings.  "  Only 
think  of  it !"  one  (perhaps  both)  had  written,  "  at  two 
o'clock  this  morning  Mr.  Truscott  was  found  at  Mrs 
Tanner's  (you  know  the  captain  is  away),  and  he  was 
ordered  out  of  the  post  by  Colonel  Pelham  at  once. 
She,  of  course,  is  prostrate,  unable  to  see  any  one,  even 
if  any  one  went,"  etc.,  etc.,  etc.  "  Mrs.  Turner  has 
just  told  us.  Everybody  is  so  shocked." 

28 


326  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Pah  !  Not  to  be  spoken  of,  indeed  !  Even  among 
bis  brother  officers,  who  was  there  to  stand  up  for  Jack 
Truscott  and  stamp  the  thing  as  a  lie?  Who  was  there 
to  act  for  Tanner  and  crush  the  vile  slander  in  the 
throat  of  the  first  man  who  dared  to  breathe  it  ?  Who 
was  there  to  demand  that  no  steps  should  be  taken,  no 
more  be  said,  until  he  who  stood  accused  could  return 
and  face  his  accusers  ?  Not  Canker.  He  believed  him 
guilty.  Not  Glenham.  Mrs.  Pelham  had  taken  care 
that  he  should  be  fully  informed  of  everything  sho 
knew  and  much  that  she  did  not;  and  he  now  be 
lieved  Truscott  guilty  of  treachery  to  himself  and  dis 
honor  towards  Tanner.  Not  Raymond.  He  was  one 
of  the  many  who,  knowing  nothing  against  a  man,  be 
lieving  him  true  and  worthy,  yet  dare  not  stand  up  for 
him  against  such  odds,  for  fear  that  it  might  be  true 
after  all,  and  then  he  would  have  made  a  fool  of  him 
self.  Not  Crane,  Carroll,  or  Hunter.  We  know  what 
manner  of  men  they  were.  But  where  was  sturdy  old 
Bucketts  ?  Where  was  Turner  ? 

Bucketts  was  one  of  those  men  who  seeing  others 
conversing  in  whispers  would  walk  away. .  He  drdn't 
want  to  know  what  men  felt  obliged  to  talk  of  in  that 
way.  Turner  was  another,  and  so  was  the  doctor. 
Thus  it  happened  that  as  no  one  man  in  the  garrison 
wanted  to  broach  the  subject  to  either  of  the  three,  as 
two  of  them  were  destitute  of  the  natural  sources  of  such 
information,  and  the  wife  of  the  third  had  good  reasons 
of  her  own  for  saying  nothing  to  her  lord  and  master  on 
the  subject, — thus  it  had  happened  that  not  until  the 
third  day  after  Truscott's  departure  did  the  story  come  to 
the  ears  of  Bucketts,  and  then  there  was  a  row.  It  came 


WINNING  IIIS  SPURS  327 

in  this  way.  Glenham  notified  him  of  his  in 
tention  of  moving  at  once  from  Truseott's  quarters  into 
Dana's,  and  in  his  confused  explanation  he  let  drop 
some  allusions  to  a  total  rupture  of  his  relations  with 
the  adjutant,  for  which  Bucketts  soundly  rated  him,  so 
that  Glenham,  goaded  and  stung,  had  rushed  into  a  de 
tailed  account  of  the  whole  scandal  as  he  understood  it, 
poor  boy !  and  Bucketts,  foaming  with  indignation, 
had  called  upon  Turner.  Turner  had  fired  up  instan 
taneously  and  demanded  of  his  wife  what  she  knew, 
and  then  returning  to  the  quartermaster's,  they  had  held 
a  brief  consultation,  had  gone  to  the  colonel,  and  placed 
their  views  before  him. 

"  As  a  matter  of  simple  justice,  Colonel  Pelham,  I 
ask  that  you  take  no  steps  in  this  matter  until  Mr. 
Truscott  is  given  an  ample  opportunity  to  explain," 
said  Captain  Turner.  u  I  am  confident  of  his  inno 
cence,  and  more  than  confident  of  hers.  What  is  more, 
I  think  that  every  effort  should  be  made  to  stop  all 
talk  at  once.  Mrs.  Tanner,  too,  is  ill."  And  Colonel 
Pelham  had  risen  and  warmly  shaken  hands  with  the 
captain,  and  thanked  him  for  the  first  words  of  cheer 
and  confidence  he  had  heard.  Then  Turner  went  home 
and  asked  Mrs.  Turner  whether  she  had  been  to  see 
Mrs.  Tanner  in  her  illness ;  finding  that  she  had  not, 
he  marched  her  forthwith  to  Tanner's  quarters.  Mrs- 
Tanner  was  not  well  enough  to  see  them,  and  begged 
to  be  excused. 

"  Please  say  to  Mrs.  Tanner  that  Captain  and  Mrs. 
Turner  called,  and  that  they  beg  to  know  if  they  can 
do  anything  to  assist  her.  May  we  not  take  Rosalie 
a  while  ?"  asked  Turner  in  a  loud,  hearty  voice,  that 


328  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

reached  the  invalid  as  she  lay  upon  the  lounge  in  he* 
room ;  and  then  meeting  Mr.  Hunter,  he  had  scowled 
at  him  so  blackly  that  that  young  gentleman  concluded 
it  best  not  to  call  there  that  evening,  as  had  been  his 
intention. 

As  for  Bucketts,  he  and  the  colonel  had  some  further 
talk,  at  the  expiration  of  which  the  quartermaster  had 
stumped  across  parade,  and  meeting  Captain  Canker, 
had  stared  him  in  the  face  and  cut  him  dead. 

And  then  Mrs.  Wilkins  had  come  to  the  fore.  The 
story  reached  her  as  quick  as  it  did  the  majority  of  the 
ladies,  and  after  staring  a  minute  in  blank  amaze  at 
her  informant,  she  demanded  to  know  how  it  had 
reached  him,  for,  in  this  case  at  least,  Mr.  Wilkins  was 
the  transmitter.  Then,  as  it  came  from  her  husband, 
the  lady  promptly  averred  that  she  didn't  believe  a 
word  of  it,  and  next  she  had  gone  off  to  extract  all 
that  could  be  told  by  the  not  unwilling  lips  of  Mrs. 
Turner,  "  who  had  everything  direct  from  Mrs.  Pelham 
herself." 

Now  such  was  the  element  of  antagonism  in  this  un- 
terrified  lady  that  she  needed  only  this  announcement 
to  convince  her  that  the  whole  story  was  an  outrage. 
Of  course  Mrs.  Turner  properly  hoped  it  might  prove 
so,  and  trusted  that  Mrs.  Tanner  might  be  vindicated. 
"  But  it  all  looked  very  queer.7' 

"Trash!"  said  Mrs.  Wilkins.  "I  suppose  Fvo 
found  fault  with  Mrs.  Tanner  like  the  rest  of  you  (it 
sounded  almost  like  the  rest  o'  ye's),  and  as  for  Jack 
Truscott,  I  suppose  he  laughs  at  me;  but  mind  you, 
Mrs.  Turner,  there's  plenty  of  ways  to  explain  this, 
and  I  don't  believe  there's  a  thought  of  wrong  in  that 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  329 

little  woman,  and  I'll  go  to  her  the  first  thing   to 
morrow." 

And  go  she  did,  and  never  hinting  at  anything  out 
of  the  way  in  the  garrison,  and  parrying  everything 
like  a  question  as  to  whether  any  of  the  other  ladies 
had  come  to  see  her,  very  useful  had  she  made  herself 
about  the  house,  and  very  much  had  she  cheered  her 
patient  and  grateful  little  friend,  so  that  towards  after 
noon  on  the  day  succeeding  Mr.  Truscott's  return  sho 
was  down  on  the  piazza  and  eager  to  see  him.  The 
doctor  joined  her  as  she  sat  there  with  Mrs.  Wilkins, 
warmly  congratulating  her  upon  her  improvement,  and 
then  Truscott  came.  Oh,  how  pale,  how  strange  he 
looked !  No  wonder  her  soft  brown  eyes  filled  with 
tears  as  she  gazed  up  into  his  face  and  pressed  his  cold 
hand.  He  who  had  been  her  faithful  friend  through 
everything,  he  who  had  so  recently  shared  her  hus 
band's  dangers  and  successes. 

"  Why,  Jack  !  How  ill  you  look  !  You  ought  to  be 
stretched  out  here  in  this  chair, — not  I.  You  must 
have  suffered  terribly." 

But  he  smiled  gently,  seated  himself  by  her  side, 
and  with  Rosalie  upon  his  knee  and  the  eyes  of  Mrs. 
Wilkins  and  the  doctor  closely  watching  him,  he  told 
the  story  of  the  stirring  fight.  Catching  sight  of  him, 
Turner  and  Bucketts  joined  the  little  party,  and  when 
the  story  was  done  all  sat  there  chatting,  and  Mrs. 
Pel  ham  coming  suddenly  upon  her  own  piazza,  stared 
as  she  saw  the  gathering  at  Mrs.  Tanner's.  Then  there 
rose  the  sudden  clatter  of  hoofs,  and  Grace  Pelham 
and  Mr.  Glenham  came  at  rapid  lope  along  the  road. 
With  the  color  rushing  to  her  cheeks,  the  former  bowed 

28* 


330  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

gravely  in  acknowledgment  of  the  upraised  caps  of 
the  officers,  who  stood  as  she  passed,  and  then  resumed 
their  seats. 

"  Mrs.  Wilkins  tells  me  the  engagement  is  announced," 
said  Mrs.  Tanner,  and  nobody  seemed  to  feel  called 
upon  to  say  anything  further.  An  orderly  came  run 
ning  over  from  the  office. 

"  A  letter  from  the  captain,  mum,"  he  said,  with  a 
grin  of  delight,  as  he  handed  a  soiled  missive  to  Mrs. 
Tanner.  "  Sergeant  Stein  is  just  in  with  despatches." 

Eagerly  she  seized  and  tore  it  open.  Then  with 
sparkling  eyes  and  reddening  cheeks,  with  lips  parted 
and  her  breath  coming  quick  and  fast,  she  hurriedly 
read  the  lines. 

"  Oh,  thank  God !  thank  God !"  she  cried,  as  she 
threw  her  arms  around  Rosalie  and  drew  her  to  her 
bosom.  "  Thank  God,  darling,  papa  will  be  here  for 
Christmas,  and  all  is  well.  Oh,  Jack,  it's  such  glad 
news!  Yes,  read  it.  Bead  it  aloud  if  you  like," 
though  the  heightened  color  in  her  cheek  warned  him 
not  to  do  that.  "  They  have  had  another  fight,  and 
now  the  Indians  have  scattered  in  every  direction,  and 
they  are  coming  home, — will  be  here  in  two  days. 
Oh,  Rosalie,  aren't  you  glad  ?"  And  mother  and  child 
clung  rapturously  to  one  another. 

"Ah,  Mrs.  Tanner," said  the  doctor,  "my  occupation 
is  gone.  I'll  leave  you  now.  Come,  Bucketts ;  come, 
Turner.  I  want  to  chat  with  you  a  while,  and  leave 
Truscott  to  plan  for  Christmas  with  Rosalie."  Yet,  as 
he  passed,  he  said  in  a  low  tone  to  Mrs.  Wilkins, — 

"  Don't  let  her  excite  herself  too  much." 

And  that  worthy  dame  nodded  appreciatively. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  331 

But  Bucketts,  of  course,  had  to  go  at  once  to  the 
office  to  see  Sergeant  Stein,  and  get  the  despatches 
for  Colonel  Pelham.  The  colonel  had  been  there  for 
a  few  moments  only  immediately  after  guard-mount 
ing,  and  then,  saying  he  did  not  feel  very  well,  had 
gone  to  his  quarters.  In  five  minutes,  Major  Bucketts, 
as  acting  adjutant,  appeared  at  the  colonel's  door  with 
the  despatches  in  his  hand,  and  was  met  by  Mrs. 
Pelham. 

"  The  colonel  is  sleeping  now,  major,  and  he  has 
been  far  from  well  for  two  days.  Is  it  anything 
important?" 

"Despatches  from  Captain  Tanner,  madame,  with 
details  of  another  fight.  I  think  the  colonel  ought  to 
see  them,  as  he  may  want  to  report  the  result  at  once 
to  department  headquarters." 

And  so  Bucketts  was  admitted  to  the  colonel's  bed 
side,  and  found  him  indeed  feverish  and  forlorn.  He 
roused  himself  at  the  mention  of  despatches,  and  lis 
tened  eagerly  as  the  quartermaster  read  them  aloud. 
Grace  stole  in  on  tiptoe,  and  took  her  father's  hot 
hand ;  but  there  was  breathless  attention  to  every  word, 
the  colonel  interjecting  an  occasional  "good!"  "tip 
top  !"  and  an  enthusiastic  "  bully  for  Ray !"  when,  in 
brief,  soldierly  words,  Captain  Tanner  gave  high  praise 
to  that  young  officer  for  heading  the  dash  in  the  second 
fight,  and  then  came  the  "finale" 

"  I  cannot  close  this  report  without  expressing  my 
great  obligations  to  Lieutenant  Truscott,  to  whose  tire 
less  energy  the  whole  success  of  the  expedition  is  due. 
Without  him  we  would  have  missed  the  trail  entirely, 
and  it  was  he  who  guided  us  to  the  rancheria  and  led 


332  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

the  attack  in  person,  receiving  a  painful  wound  as  hie 
share  of  the  casualties." 

Here  Bucketts  stopped  and  waited  a  moment.  No 
body  said  anything. 

"Bully  for  Truscott  say  I,"  remarked  Major  Buck 
etts,  very  calmly,  on  satisfying  himself  that  no  one 
else  proposed  to  express  commendation  where  his  friend 
was  concerned.  Then  he  finished  the  despatches,  and 
waited  for  instructions. 

"  Have  copies  made  of  these  to  be  sent  by  to-mor 
row's  mail  with  my  report,  major,  and  I  want  a  brief 
synopsis  to  be  sent  at  once  by  telegraph.  I  suppose  I'll 
have  to  do  it  myself,"  he  added,  drearily.  Already  he 
missed  beyond  expression  the  arm  on  which  he  was  ac 
customed  to  lean.  He  hated  to  write.  Everything  of 
that  kind  fell  on  Truscott's  shoulders.  The  colonel  had 
only  to  indicate  what  he  needed  and  it  was  ready  for  his 
signature  on  his  desk ;  but  now  he  could  not  ask  Truscott. 

"How  is  Mr.  Truscott?"  he  asked,  moodily. 

"Much  better,  sir.  I  left  him  talking  with  Mrs. 
Tanner,  who  has  just  been  receiving  our  congratula 
tions,"  said  Bucketts,  with  a  tone  largely  suggestive  of 
"Whether  you  like  it  or  not,"  as  he  looked  squarely  at 
Lady  Pelham.  It  is  to  be  feared  that  in  his  zeal  for 
his  friend  the  quartermaster  was  not  strengthening  his 
own  position,  a  thing  that  is  of  so  rare  occurrence  as  to 
warrant  its  being  made  a  note  of.  Then  Major  Buck 
etts  bowed  himself  out,  and  went  back  to  the  adju 
tant's  office,  where  for  some  time  he  was  busied  over 
the  recent  despatches.  After  making  out  the  "synop 
sis,"  he  carried  his  work  to  Truscott,  who  was  still 
seated  on  Mrs.  Tanner's  piazza ;  and  as  he  approved,  the 


WINNING    HIS  SPURS.  333 

necessary  copy  was  made  and  carried  to  the  colonel  for  his 
signature.  Stable-call  had  sounded  when  Major  Bucketts 
turned  to  leave  the  colonel.  The  latter  called  him  back. 
"Bucketts,  just  close  that  door  and  come  here,  will 
you?" 

The  quartermaster  obeyed. 

"  Has  anything  been  said  ?  Has  Canker  spoken  to 
Mr.  Truscottyet?" 

li  I  do  not  know,  sir.  I  had  no  idea  that  it  was 
your  intention  to  delegate  this  matter  to  Captain  Can 
ker,"  said  Bucketts,  a  tremor  of  surprise  and  indigna 
tion  betraying  itself  in  his  voice. 

The  colonel  colored  hotly  under  the  unmistakable 
reproach  in  the  staff-officer's  tone.  Oh,  Bucketts,  had 
you  not  learned  in  your  years  of  army  service  that  dis 
cretion  was  the  better  part  of  valor,  when  defending  a 
friend  against  a  commander's  ire  ? 

"  There  were  reasons  why  Captain  Canker  was  se 
lected  to  speak  for  me,"  said  the  colonel,  with  much 
dignity  and  reserve ;  "  but  now  it  may  be  well  to  post 
pone  action  until  Captain  Tanner's  return,  since  he  is 
so  soon  to  be  here.  You  will  see  Canker  at  stables,  and 
may  say  so  for  me."  And  then  Bucketts  withdrew. 

That  evening  as  the  officers  came  strolling  back  from 
the  mess-room  they  noted  with  surprise  an  unusual 
gathering  in  front  of  the  colonel's  quarters.  A  broad 
light  streamed  from  the  open  doorway,  and  in  it,  only 
partially  dressed,  with  ashen  face  and  holding  an  open 
despatch  in  his  hand,  stood  Colonel  Pelham  apparently 
questioning  two  soldiers  in  rough  scouting-rig,  who  had 
dismounted  and  were  holding  their  panting  horses  by 
the  rein.  One  of  them  was  weeping  like  a  woman. 


334  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

Grace,  covering  her  face  in  her  hands,  ran  back  into  the 
house.  Glenham,  white  as  a  sheet,  stood  beside  the 
colonel,  dazed  and  stupefied. 

"  What's  happened  ?"  asked  some  of  the  party ;  and 
Truscott  and  the  doctor,  walking  together  behind  the  rest, 
hurried  eagerly  forward  just  in  time  to  see  Mrs.  Pelham 
throw  a  shawl  over  her  shoulders  and  scurry  up  the  row. 

"  Gentlemen," said  Colonel  Pelham,  in  a  voice  choking 
with  emotion,  "  we  have  lost  our  best.  Captain  Tanner 
was  killed  last  night  at  sunset." 

For  an  instant  there  was  an  awful  stillness,  broken 
only  by  the  sobs  of  one  of  the  soldiers,  who  had  buried 
his  face  in  his  horse's  mane  and  thrown  his  arms  around 
the  sturdy  neck.  Then  the  doctor  spoke. 

"  God  of  heaven !     Who  can  break  it  to  her  ?" 

"  Mrs.  Pelham  has  gone,"  said  Glenham,  briefly. 

"  What !   Mrs.  Pelham  !   For  God's  sake  stop  her !" 

Two  men  sprang  from  the  group  and  rushed  in  pur 
suit, — Truscott  and  the  doctor.  Her  hand  was  on  the 
bell  as  the  latter  seized  it. 

l(  Mrs.  Pelham,  stop !"  said  he.  "  I  adjure  you  not 
to  speak  to  her." 

"  Why  not,  pray  ?  Who  but  the  commanding  offi 
cer's  wife  should  be  the  first  to  tender  sym "  The 

door  opened  and  she  attempted  to  enter.  Instantly  she 
was  seized.  The  doctor's  arms  were  round  her  waist, 
Truscott  had  her  hand. 

"  Madame,  you  must  not "  said  the  former ;  but 

she  furiously  interrupted  him. 

"  Unhand  me,  I  say !  Who  dares  restrain  me !  This 
outrage " 

And  here  with  alarm  upon  her  face  Mrs.  Tanner 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  335 

came  running  into  the  hall.  Truscott  sprang  within 
the  door. 

"Get  her  away  quick,  doctor,"  he  muttered,  and 
then,  taking  Mrs.  Tanner's  hand,  strove  to  lead  her  back 
into  the  parlor,  but  in  his  death-like  pallor  she  saw  the 
awful  premonition. 

"  My  husband  ?"  she  gasped.  "  What  is  it  ?  Quick  !" 
and  then  the  doctor  saw  it  was  too  late.  He  too  sprang 
to  her  side,  releasing  Mrs.  Pelham,  who  between  rage, 
agitation,  and  possibly  genuine  emotion  burst  into  tears 
and  threw  herself  forward  with  outstretched  arms. 

"  Oh,  my  poor  stricken  friend  !  Oh,  poor  little " 

And  then  Rosalie's  agonized  cry  rang  out  upon  the 
parade. 

"Oh,  mamma,  mamma!  Have  they  killed  my 
papa  ?" 

Now  with  wild,  dilated  eyes  she  looks  from  one  to 
another.  What  need  to  ask  ?  In  one  frightful  second 
the  whole  truth  flashes  over  her.  The  soft  little  white 
hands  are  thrown  tightly  clinched  in  air ;  she  totters : 
one  gasping  cry  issues  from  her  ashen  lips  and  down 
she  would  have  gone  to  earth  but  for  the  strong  arms 
that  seize  and  raise  her. 

White  as  her  own  is  Truscott's  face  as  he  bears  her 
up  the  stairs.  He  looks  back  for  one  instant  as  others 
come  rushing  in,  and  sterner,  lower  than  ever  before, 
they  hear  the  words, — 

"  Get  that  woman  away !     Doctor,  come  quick !" 

"  It  is  heart-disease,  madame,  and  you  would  have 
killed  her,"  says  the  doctor,  as  he  hands  her  ladyship 
over  to  the  colonel,  who  all  too  late  has  come  tearing 
after  her. 


336  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 


CHAPTER    XIX, 

THAT  was  a  wretched  night  at  Sandy.  Accustomed 
as  the  regiment  had  been  to  battle,  and  murder,  and 
sudden  death,  there  was  something  indescribably  mourn 
ful  in  the  circumstances  attending  Tanner's  tragic  fate. 
He  had  been  sent  away  on  the  very  anniversary  of  the 
death  of  his  first-born,  refusing  in  his  soldierly  way  to 
allow  the  commanding  officer  to  be  informed  of  a  fact 
that  might  lead  to  a  change  in  the  detail,  since  there 
were  so  many  ready  and  eager  to  go  in  his  stead.  He 
had  had  two  sharp  and  successful  encounters  with  the 
very  band  which  he  had  been  sent  out  to  punish,  and, 
having  seattered  them  to  the  four  winds,  was  joyfully 
on  his  way  homeward  to  join  his  dearly-loved  wife  and 
little  ones  in  time  for  Christmas ;  had  written  the  glad 
news  of  his  coming  (Ah,  was  she  not  re-reading  that 
blessed  letter  to  Rosalie  when  the  blow  came?),  and, 
when  only  two  days'  march  away  from  the  post,  as 
they  bivouacked  at  evening  beside  a  rapid-running 
stream,  he  and  some  two  or  three  men  had  stolen  forth 
to  "  stalk"  a  deer  they  saw  on  a  hill-side  not  five  hun 
dred  yards  away.  Half  an  hour  afterwards  four  shots 
were  heard  in  quick  succession,  then  shouts  and  scatter 
ing  shots,  and  Ray,  springing  to  his  feet,  seized  his 
carbine,  and,  with  a  yell  of  "  Come  on, — lively,  men  !" 
Lad  darted  off  through  the  thickets.  In  three  minutes 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  337 

they  were  standing  over  Tanner's  lifeless  body.  Too 
late  to  succor,  but  not  too  late  to  avenge.  It  seems 
that  three  or  four  Indians,  relatives  probably  of  the 
prisoners  whom  they  were  bringing  in,  had  followed 
the  command  on  its  homeward  march,  and  from  their 
ambush  among  the  rocks  it  had  been  an  easy  thing  to 
pick  off  the  captain  as  he  crept  up  the  hill-side,  intent 
only  on  getting  a  shot  at  the  deer.  Two  rifle-bullets 
had  pierced  him  through  and  through,  and  death  must 
have  been  instantaneous.  The  skulking  foe  of  course 
had  fled,  but  Ray  had  his  scouts  in  pursuit  in  less  than 
no  time,  and  long  before  dark  two  were  overtaken  and 
died  fighting.  Two  of  Tanner's  own  men  were  sent 
forward  with  a  brief  report  of  the  sad  affair,  hurriedly 
written  by  Lieutenant  Hay,  and  on  the  following  morn 
ing  the  detachment,  bringing  the  lifeless  remains  of 
their  late  commander,  resumed  their  march  in  bitter 
sorrow. 

And  now,  what  was  the  effect  in  the  garrison?  The 
tidings  flew  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  in  shocked,  sol 
emn  silence  the  news  was  heard  by  officers  and  men. 
In  the  entire  regiment  no  man  had  been  more  univer 
sally  respected  than  Tanner,  few,  if  any,  were  as  pop 
ular  ;  but,  deeply  as  they  mourned  him,  the  one  ques 
tion  that  seemed  to  rise  first  to  all  lips  was,  "  How  will 
sho  bear  it  ?"  All  hearts  seemed  to  turn  at  once  to  her, 
and  women  who  but  yesterday  would  resent  the  faintest 
word  of  praise  lavished  upon  Mrs.  Tanner  were  now 
flocking  to  her  quarters,  where  she  lay  hovering  'twixt 
life  and  death. 

Mrs.  Wilkins  had  been  the  first  to  hurry  in,  sum 
moned  by  the  doctor,  and  very  soon  Truscott  had  come 
i>  w  29 


338  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER,    OR, 

down-stairs  and  taken  sobbing,  terrified,  lonely  little 
Rosalie  in  his  arms.  Presently  Mrs.  Raymond  and 
Mrs.  Turner  appeared,  and  with  awe  and  sympathy  in 
their  faces  begged  the  doctor  to  let  them  be  of  some 
assistance.  He  was  flitting  nervously  to  and  fro :  now 
up  in  the  sick-room,  where  she  lay  moaning  and  sense 
less  ;  now  coming  to  the  parlor  to  exchange  a  few  words 
with  Truscott.  Then  he  had  telegraphed  to  Prescott, 
begging  that  his  comrade,  the  post-surgeon  at  Whipple, 
might  be  sent  at  once.  Lady  after  lady  had  striven  to 
induce  Rosalie  to  leave  Truscott's  arms  and  come  to 
her  for  the  night,  but  she  seemed  to  shrink  from  all 
and  to  turn  shudderingly,  clingingly,  with  fresh  out 
bursts  of  tears,  to  him ;  and,  despite  the  pain  it  caused 
him,  Jack  held  her  to  his  breast  and  strove  to  soothe 
her  to  sleep.  At  last,  just  as  the  first  call  for  tattoo 
was  sounding,  worn  out  with  her  wild  grief,  the  sunny, 
curly  head  drooped  upon  his  shoulder  and  the  heavy 
eyelids  closed  in  slumber.  Still  he  carried  her  to  and 
fro,  as  he  had  when  she  was  a  mite  of  a  baby,  and  as 
he  looked  down  into  the  innocent,  helpless,  trusting 
little  face,  never  more  to  know  a  father's  kiss  and  bless 
ing,  great  tears  stole  from  his  own  hot  eyes,  and  burying 
his  worn,  haggard  face  among  her  bonny  curls,  Jack 
Truscott  sobbed  silently  in  his  grief.  And  on  this  pic 
ture  Grace  Pelham  entered,  looked  one  moment  with 
a  world  of  wistfulness,  of  entreaty,  of  love,  tenderness, 
sympathy  and  utter  misery  in  her  swimming  eyes,  then 
turned  and  fled — unseen. 

All  that  weary  night  Truscott  haunted  the  parlor, 
while  the  doctor  and  Mrs.  Wilkins  kept  watch  and 
ward  overhead.  Sometimes  he  snatched  a  few  minutes 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  339 

of  broken  sleep  upon  the  sofa,  but  morning  found  him 
pale  and  haggard  and  looking  worse  than  when  lie  re 
turned  from  the  scout. 

"  This  will  never  do,  Jack,"  said  the  doctor.  "You 
must  go  home  and  get  to  bed."  But  Truscott  avowed 
his  intention  of  going  with  the  ambulance  to  meet  the 
remains.  There  seemed  to  be  nothing  he  could  do 
there.  She  had  recovered  consciousness  once  towards 
morning,  but  only  to  fall  away  again.  "  Still,"  said 
the  doctor,  "  if  we  can  only  keep  her  quiet  we  may  pull 
her  through.  It  is  the  waking  I  dread  as  much  as 
anything  else." 

At  stables  in  the  morning  Colonel  Pelham  did  not 
appear.  A  group  of  officers — Canker,  Crane,  Carroll, 
and  Glenham — were  in  conversation,  when  Truscott 
walked  rapidly  past  them,  merely  nodding,  and  entered 
the  quartermaster's  corral.  Coming  out  again,  he  was 
heard  to  say,  as  though  speaking  to  the  driver  of  the 
ambulance, — 

"  Come  round  to  my  quarters,  then.  Fll  be  ready  in 
fifteen  minutes." 

With  that  he  was  again  passing  them,  when  the  se 
nior  officer,  near  whom  was  standing  an  orderly,  called 
to  him, — 

"Mr.  Truscott!" 

"  What  is  it  ?"  said  the  adjutant,  surprised  at  the 
formality  of  the  salutation,  but  not  checking  his  rapid 
walk. 

"  I  wish  to  see  you,  sir,"  called  Captain  Canker  after 
him,  reddening  with  chagrin  as  he  did  so. 

"I'm  in  a  hurry  now,  captain,"  replied  Truscott, 
absently.  "  Come  to  my  quarters."  And  on  he  went, 


340  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

plunged  in  his  gloomy  thoughts,  and  in  an  instant  had 
entered  the  band-stables,  out  of  sight. 

Canker  fairly  snapped  with  rage.  Treated  with  dis 
respect  and  indignity  by  the  very  officer  of  all  others 
whom  he  most  desired  to  get  upon  the  hip — the  very 
officer  whom  it  was  now  in  his  power  doubly  to  hu 
miliate.  Ignored  in  his  high  position  as  commander  of 
the  post,  now  that  Colonel  Pelham  was  sick  in  quarters, 
what  better  opportunity  needed  he  ? 

"  You  heard  that  language,  gentlemen !"  he  ex 
claimed.  "  Mr.  Carroll,  Mr.  Glenham,  come  with  me." 
And  hurrying  after  the  adjutant,  Captain  Canker  en 
tered  the  band-stables  in  high  dudgeon. 

"  Captain,"  suggested  Carroll,  "  I'm  certain  that 
Truscott  had  no  idea  you  were  in  command  of  the 
post." 

"That's  d — d  nonsense,  sir!  It's  his  business  to 
know." 

And  though  Mr.  Carroll  was  confident  that,  being 
on  sick  report,  and  furthermore,  utterly  taken  up  with 
his  cares  at  Tanner's  quarters,  Mr.  Truscott  did  not 
know  that  the  colonel  had  again  taken  to  his  bed  and 
turned  over  the  command  at  reveille  to  the  senior  cap 
tain,  he  was  diplomatic  enough  to  hold  his  peace.  It 
is  always  safer  to  let  a  comrade  get  rapped  over  the 
knuckles  undeservingly  than  to  attempt  to  restrain  the 
impetuosity  of  such  commanders  as  Canker,  and  of 
many  another  not  exactly  like  him  ;  and,  besides,  Car 
roll  possibly  wanted  to  see  how  "  His  Infallibility,"  as 
Truscott  had  once  been  nicknamed,  would  stand  a 
reprimand. 

They  found  him  in  earnest  conversation  with  the 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  341 

sergeant-major  and  with  the  corporal  of  Tanner's  troop 
who  had  brought  in  the  news.  He  did  not  notice  their 
approach. 

Canker  rapidly  stepped  to  his  side,  his  eyes  flashing, 
his. face  flushed  with  passion. 

"  Mr.  Truscott,  did  you  hear  me  say  that  I  wished 
to  see  you  ?" 

"Certainly,  captain,"  said  Jack,  very  calmly,  but 
looking  vastly  surprised  at  the  sudden  appearance  of 
this  irate  captain  and  his  satellites. 

"  Then  how  dare  you  pass  me  by,  sir  ?"  and  at  the 
furious,  undignified  tone  the  men  looked  up  in  amaze. 
Every  brush  and  curry-comb  seemed  to  need  cleaning 
at  that  minute,  and  the  non-commissioned  staff  and 
band,  almost  to  a  man,  ceased  grooming. 

Worn,  wearied,  harassed  both  mentally  and  physi 
cally,  Truscott  was  in  no  condition  to  calmly  submit  to 
an  unjust  overhauling  from  a  man  of  Canker's  calibre. 
The  blood  rushed  to  his  face  at  the  arrogance,  the  utter 
lack  of  consideration,  of  decency  in  the  captain's  man 
ner.  But  with  perfect  self-poise,  despite  it  all,  he  cour 
teously  spoke. 

"  I  had  no  idea  that  you  were  in  command  of  the 
post,  as  I  presume  you  must  be." 

"  You  ought  to  have  known  it,  sir,  if  you  had  sense 
enough  to  know  anything." 

And  now  Mr.  Carroll  was  turning  away  in  disgust, 
and  Glenham  stood  a  picture  of  indignant  helplessness. 
Truscott  turned  from  red  to  white,  and  looked  squarely 
into  Canker's  eyes  as  the  latter  stormed  furiously  on. 

"  I've  had  abundant  opportunity  to  remark  your  dis 
courtesy  and  slights  on  previous  occasions,  sir,  and  now 

29* 


342  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

you  have  the  insolence  to  ignore  my  authority  as  com 
manding  officer  in  the  presence  of  the  command. 
I " 

"  One  moment,  captain,"  said  Truscott,  raising  his 
hand  deprecatingly,  and  speaking  with  the  utmost 
self-control  and  respect.  "  Let  me  repeat,  that  I  had 
no  idea  you  were  in  command.  I  was  deeply  en 
grossed  in  thought  of  far  different  matters.  I  thought 
you  merely  wished  to  speak  to  me  about  some  personal 
affairs,  as  I'm  not  on  duty  as  adjutant  this " 

"  No,  by  God !"  burst  in  Canker,  to  whom  Truscott's 
power  over  himself  was  only  an  additional  goad.  With 
all  the  malignity  of  a  low,  tyrannical  nature,  what  he 
wanted  was  an  excuse  to  rasp  and  humiliate  the  adju 
tant,  not  to  listen  to  explanations  that  were  establishing 
the  latter's  entire  innocence  of  wrong  so  far  as  intent 
was  concerned.  "  No,  by  God  !  you  are  not  on  duty  as 
adjutant;  and  a  most  fortunate  thing  it  is  for  the  regi 
ment  that  in  that  capacity  your  days  are  numbered." 

Truscott  simply  stared  at  him  in  surprise  and  abso 
lute  pity,  and  Canker  saw  it. 

"  I'm  not  blowing,  sir,  as  you  seem  to  think.  Four 
days  ago  the  colonel  directed  me  to  see  you  and  request 
your  resignation."  And  still  Truscott  stood  calm  and 
stately.  It  was  simply  exasperating  to  poor  Canker. 
Determined  to  break  through  that  impenetrable  armor 
of  reserve  and  dignity,  he  flew  on  another  tack.  "You 
were  giving  some  instructions  to  the  driver  of  the  am 
bulance  just  now.  By  what  right,  sir?" 

"  I  merely  asked  him  to  stop  for  me  at  my  quarters. 
I  desired  to  go  down  the  valley  to  meet  Captain  Tan 
ner's  remains." 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  343 

"  I  have  detailed  Captain  Turner  for  that  purpose, 
sir.  You  cannot  go." 

"  I  did  not  expect  to  go  in  an  official  capacity,  but  it 
never  occurred  to  me  for  an  instant  that  any  one  would 
prohibit  my  going  to  meet  the  body  of  my  oldest  and 
most  intimate  friend." 

"  It  is  prohibited,  sir,  emphatically,  and  for  excellent 
reason.  From  the  colonel  down,  sir,  it  is  prohibited, 
and  it  is  a  brazen-faced  outrage  on  your  part  to  expect 
to  be  allowed  to  go." 

Even  Carroll  and  Glenhain  here  stepped  forward  as 
though  to  check  him,  and  Carroll  seized  his  arm. 

"  Captain/  captain,  for  God's  sake,  not  here !  Think 
where  you  are." 

And  suddenly,  as  though  realizing  that  every  man 
was  listening,  Canker  turned. 

"  I  will  see  you  again  about  this,  Mr.  Truscott,  but 
understand, — you  cannot  go." 

For  an  instant  Truscott  stood  dazed,  then  hurried 
after  them,  overtaking  the  party  at  the  gate.  From 
the  adjoining  stables  Captain  Raymond  and  Mr.  Wil- 
kins  were  approaching. 

"  Captain  Canker,"  said  Truscott,  and  now  fire  was 
flashing  from  his  eyes,  "  you  have  used  words  which 
require  immediate  explanation." 

"  I  say,  sir,"  almost  shouted  Canker,  "  that  you  are 
the  last  man  in  the  regiment  to  be  allowed  to  go  to 
meet  the  remains  of  a  man  we  honored,  sir  !  Your  con 
duct  has  been  too  monstrous.  You  have  been  long 
suspected,  but  now  the  thing  is  known  throughout  the 
whole  garrison." 

"  What  thing,  sir?" 


344  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

t(  Your  grossly  im proper,  criminal,  probably,  relations 
with  Mrs.  Tanner " 

Crash ! 

Something  like  a  flash  of  lightning  had  seemed  to 
shoot  from  Truscott's  shoulder,  and  with  a  thud,  plunge, 
and  sputter  Captain  Canker  lay  sprawling  on  his  back, 
after  ploughing  up  several  square  feet  of  gravel,  and 
Raymond  and  Carroll  had  thrown  themselves  on  Trus- 
cott,  who,  a  living  embodiment  of  fury,  stood  glaring 
at  the  stunned  foeman  at  his  feet. 

"ISTo  more  of  this,  Truscott!  I  don't  blame  you. 
I  heard  it,"  said  Raymond.  "  Go  at  once  to  your 
quarters.  I'll  see  that  he  is  looked  after,"  And  es 
corted  by  Carroll,  the  adjutant  slowly,  silently,  walked 
away. 

"  Send  Bucketts  here  at  once,"  he  said  to  Carroll,  as 
he  entered  his  hall  and  closed  the  door  after  him. 

Meantime  the  other  officers  had  raised  Canker  to  his 
feet.  He  had  been  knocked  half  senseless  by  the  force 
of  the  blow,  and  blood  was  streaming  from  his  nostrils, 
and  his  eye  was  rapidly  closing,  but  his  first  impulse  on 
rising  was  to  get  at  Truscott.  He  was  blind  with  rage, 
and  it  required  great  eifort  to  control  him.  Little  by 
little  the  gravity  of  the  situation  overcame  his  fury,  and 
he  suffered  himself  to  be  led  to  his  quarters;  but  half 
the  command,  probably,  had  seen  the  affair,  and  with 
huge  delight  the  men  were  commenting  on  the  scien 
tific  manner  in  which  "the  adjutant  knocked  ould 
Canker  out  of  time  in  one  crack." 

Raymond  was  urging  Canker  to  take  no  steps  in  the 
matter  until  he  had  cooled  down. 

"  Of  course  the  whole  thing  will  get  to  the  colonel's 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  345 

ears  at  once,  and  you  had  better  let  him  deal  with  the 
matter,"  said  Raymond. 

But  Canker  thought  he  knew  his  own  business  best, 
and  sent  at  once  for  Major  Bucketts,  who  stumped  in 
with  his  customary  expression  of  profound  gravity, 
while  the  commanding  officer  was  being  plastered  with 
brown  paper  and  vinegar  by  the  hands  of  his  flurried 
and  tearful  wife. 

"Major  Bucketts,  you  will  place  Mr.  Truscott  in 
close  arrest  at  once.7' 

"By  whose  order,  captain?"  said  Bucketts,  imper- 
turbably. 

"  By  mine,  of  course,  sir.     I  command  the  post." 

"  Very  well,  sir,"  said  Bucketts,  and  vanished. 

Ten  minutes  afterwards  he  banged  the  hilt  of  his 
sabre  against  Truscott's  door  and  entered,  finding  Jack 
stripped  to  the  waist,  bathing,  and  attempting  to  re- 
bandage  the  gash  on  his  breast,  which  recent  muscular 
action  seemed  to  have  reopened. 

"  Just  hold  on  a  moment,  Jack,  till  I  commit  you  in 
due  form,  and  then  I'll  help  you  at  that.  You  are 
hereby  placed  in  close  arrest,  by  order  of  Captain  Can 
ker  ;  and  may  God  have  mercy  on  your  soul,  and  you 
on  his'n !  What  did  you  hit  him  with  ?  he's  knocked 
all  one-sided."  Thus  irreverently  and  flippantly  dis 
coursed  the  quartermaster,  as  he  threw  off  his  sabre, 
belt,  and  gauntlets  and  went  to  the  assistance  of  his 
friend. 

"I  haven't  my  spurs  on,  Jack,  but  you'll  observe 
the  arrest  all  the  same,  and  won't  go  back  on  me. 
Never  mind  what  it's  about  now.  Let's  get  you  com 
fortable  first."  And  by  dint  of  some  minutes'  work  Major 


346  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Bucketts  succeeded  in  getting  the  bandage  back  where 
it  belonged  and  Jack  into  his  clothes  and  easy-chair. 

Truscott  lay  there  very  pale  and  quiet,  saying  nothing, 
but  there  was  a  look  in  his  face  Bucketts  did  not  like 
to  see;  something  terrible  in  its  intensity.  Stepping 
in  next  door  to  the  doctor's  quarters,  he  found  him 
plunging  his  head  in  cold  water  and  listening  to  Car 
roll's  excited  description  of  the  affray.  The  quarter 
master  boiled  with  rage  when  he  heard  the  language 
which  had  called  forth  Truscott's  blow,  and  then 
requested  the  doctor  to  come  with  him  a  moment. 

"  I  want  you  to  be  with  me  when  I  have  my  talk 
with  Jack.  Of  course,  now  he  has  got  to  be  told  the 
whole  thing;  and  the  question  is,  can  he  stand  it  now? 
Go  and  see  him." 

So  the  doctor  had  gone,  and  in  the  course  of  half  an 
hour  returned  to  Bucketts,  saying  that  Truscott  was 
calm  and  composed,  but  insisted  upon  knowing  the 
uttermost  detail  of  the  story  in  which  his  good  name 
was  involved.  "  He  will  have  no  rest  until  we  do  tell 
him,  and  I  think  it  best  we  should  go  at  once,"  was 
the  doctor's  decision  ;  so  they  went. 

"  Jack,"  said  Bucketts,  "  I'll  make  it  short  as  I  can, 
yet  tell  you  all  I  know,  and  I  believe  all  anybody 
knows,  and  if  I  go  wrong,  doctor,  you  correct  me. 
Not  until  the  day  before  you  got  back  did  I  know  any 
thing  about  it,  but  the  doctor  and  myself  have  gone  to 
the  bottom  of  the  whole  story.  For  some  reason  Mrs, 
Pelharn  has  been  determined  to  get  you  away  from  this 
post.  The  ladies  all  say  that,  and  it  is  mainly  through 
them  that  we  reached  the  facts.  She  has  been  steadily 
at  work  ever  since  you  met  them  at  Prescott  in  striving 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  347 

to  prejudice  people  against  you,  and  finally  she  got  hold 
of  some  infernal  story  circulated  by  that  girl  the  Tan 
ners  discharged  at  Phoenix,  to  the  effect  that  you  had 
been  unduly  intimate  with  Mrs.  Tanner  when  in  Kansas, 
and  she  has  been  putting  the  colonel  up  to  it  ever  since. 
Now  of  the  facts  I  can  only  tell  you  this.  She  has  a 
letter  from  Mrs.  Treadwell  saying  that  when  Tanner 
was  in  the  field  you  came  to  Phcenix,  and  she  saw  Mrs, 
Tanner  crying  in  your  arms  in  her  parlor.  The  night 
Tanner  left  here  Miss  Pelham  and  Hunter  saw  Mrs. 
Tanner  leaning  in  your  arms  out  there  on  the  bluff, 
and  the  night  you  were  wanted  when  those  despatches 
came  after  midnight,  and  you  could  not  be  found,  the 
colonel  and  Canker  saw  you  coming  out  of  her  house. 
I  know,  and  the  doctor  knows,  that  it  is  all  susceptible 
of  explanation.  But  those  facts  were  industriously 
circulated  everywhere  about  the  post,  and  we  would 
have  told  you  yesterday  but  for  the  doctor,  who  said 
you  were  not  well  enough." 

To  all  this,  told  rapidly  and  quietly,  Truscott  listened 
without  a  word.  He  knit  his  brow  at  times,  a  look  of 
surprise  came  into  his  face  at  mention  of  Mrs.  Tread- 
well's  name,  but  even  after  Bucketts  had  ceased  he  sat 
for  a  few  moments  in  silence. 

Then  looking  coolly,  wearily  around  him,  Jack  rose, 
went  to  his  wardrobe,  took  a  letter  from  the  pocket  of 
his  blouse,  and  returned  to  the  fireplace. 

"  Bucketts,"  said  he,  "  it  is  a  fact  that  Mrs.  Tanner 
did  on  one  occasion  cry  in  my  arms  at  Phoenix.  She 
probably  would  have  done  so  the  night  Tanner  inarched 
if  she  had  not  fainted  dead  away,  and  it  is  also  a  fact 
that  long  after  midnight  I  came  from  her  house  when 


348  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

those  despatches  arrived.  In  fact,  had  I  not  heard  the 
noise  outside  I  would  have  been  there  an  hour  longer. 
For  myself,  I  absolutely  refuse  to  make  any  explana 
tion  now,  but  for  her  sake  that  which  may  seem  neces 
sary  shall  be  done.  This  letter  will  account  for  my 
presence  at  Tanner's  at  the  hour  which  has  scandalized 
Camp  Sandy,  and,  doctor,  you  can  doubtless  account 
for  the  other  enumerated  indiscretions.  Now,  Bucketts, 
I  have  a  question  to  ask.  Was  it  on  this  account  that 
the  colonel  requested  my  resignation,  as  that — as  Cap 
tain  Canker  stated  this  morning  ?" 

"  So  Canker  says,  and  so  it  has  been  told  all  over  the 
post.  Turner  and  I  went  to  the  colonel  two  days  ago, 
and  he  promised  us  that  nothing  further  should  be  said 
or  done  until  you  returned,  and  last  evening  he  did  tell 
me  to  see  Canker  and  say  to  him  that  he  desired  him  to 
say  nothing  to  you  now  until  Tanner's  return,  as  he 
would  be  here  in  two  days.  I  did  so,  but  Canker  seems 
to  have  gone  crazy  this  morning." 

"  Then  it  is  doubtless  true  that  Canker's  statement  is 
correct  as  to  the  resignation,"  said  Jack,  while  his  teeth 
set  almost  savagely.  "  That,  at  least,  I  never  could 
have  believed  of  Pelham ;  he  should  never  have  dele 
gated  that  message  to  any  one.  Now,  gentlemen,"  he 
continued,  "  I  have  a  great  deal  to  think  of  this  morn 
ing,  and  I  will  thank  you  both  to  come  to  me  occasion 
ally.  You,  doctor,  will  have  to  devote  all  possible 
time  to  Mrs.  Tanner,  I  know,  but  let  me  hear  how  she 
is  getting  on.  As  for  Captain  Canker,  it  is  not  prob 
able  any  message  will  come  from  him  before  evening; 
if  it  should  then,  and  by  that  time  Eay  will  be  here." 

And  now  we  have  to  turn  from  Truscott  and  his 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  349 

bitter  reflections  and  look  for  Grace,  who,  of  late,  has 
appeared  but  seldom  on  the  scene. 

At  any  other  time  so  important  an  announcement  as 
that  of  the  engagement  of  the  beauty  and  belle  of  the 
regiment,  the  daughter  of  its  colonel,  to  one  of  its  offi 
cers,  and  that  one  its  wealthiest,  would  have  created 
wide  commotion ;  but  just  now  everything  was  forgotten 
in  the  fate  that  had  overtaken  Tanner,  shrouded  the 
garrison  in  mourning,  and  involved  his  stricken  widow 
and  his  most  trusted  friend  in  so  strange,  so  uncanny  a 
complication.  The  circumstances  of  Grace's  engage 
ment  have  not  been  explained, — indeed,  she  never  could 
satisfactorily  explain  them  herself, — but  to  make  a  long 
and  most  unpleasant  story  short,  her  mother  had 
speedily  added  the  story  of  Truscott's  midnight  ap 
pearance  at  Tanner's  to  his  other  enormities,  and  this, 
coupled  with  what  she  had  seen,  so  preyed  upon  the 
poor  girl's  jealousy  and  wretchedness  that,  yielding  to 
her  mother's  representations  of  all  Glenham's  excel 
lences,  the  debt  they  owed  him  for  Ralph's  sake,  the 
deep  wrong  she  was  doing  him  in  keeping  him  in  sus 
pense,  "  dangling  at  her  apron-strings,"  as  rnadame 
expressed  it,  though  knowing  well  that  she,  not  Grace, 
was  there  at  fault,  Grace  Pelham  had  at  last  surren- 
deied.  "I  do  not  love  you,"  she  told  him,  frankly. 
"  I  respect  and  honor  and  like  you,  no  doubt,  but  it  is 
not  what  you  deserve,"  and  he  had  rapturously  declared 
that  he  could  wait  to  win  her  love  if  she  would  but 
promise  to  let  him  try.  And  then  mamma  had  clinched 
the  nail  by  announcing  the  engagement,  confidentially, 
to  three  or  four  ladies,  and  writing  it  confidentially  to 
two  or  three  more  at  department  headquarters.  And 

30 


350  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Grace,  receiving  congratulations  she  would  eagerly  have 
shunned,  and  devotions  and  raptures  that  she  absolutely 
shrank  from,  was  profoundly  miserable. 

Coming  suddenly  into  the  Tanners7  parlor  at  tattoo 
the  night  of  the  news  of  his  death,  she  stopped  short 
on  seeing  Truscott,  and  then  had  turned  and  fled.  Dis 
trusting  him  as  she  had,  yet  unwilling  to  believe  in  his 
baseness,  she  now  saw  him  fondling  and  soothing  the 
child  of  the  man  he  was  accused  of  having  bitterly 
wronged,  and  mingling  his  tears  with  those  of  the  in 
nocent  little  one  because  of  that  man's  death.  No 
wonder  hers  had  been  an  almost  sleepless  night,  but 
early  in  the  morning  she  was  at  her  father's  bedside, 
He  was  still  far  from  well,  though  the  ailment  seemed 
to  be  mental  rather  than  bodily.  Lady  Pelham  was 
sleeping  the  sleep  of  the  just  in  her  own  room.  She 
had  been  up  very  late  the  night  before,  making  love  to 
her  prospective  son-in-law,  as  Mrs.  Wilkins  put  it. 
Grace  had  plead  distress  and  illness  and  gone  to  her 
room. 

Soon  after  guard-mounting  a  letter  was  brought  to 
the  door.  The  servant  handed  it  to  Grace,  and  she, 
noting  with  faintly  heightened  color  and  trembling 
hand  that  it  was  addressed  in  Truscott's  writing  to  the 
colonel,  took  it  up-stairs,  and  silently  placed  it  before 
him  on  the  coverlet. 

"  Where  are  my  glasses,  dear  ?"  he  asked.  But  the 
glasses  were  not  under  his  pillow  nor  on  the  bureau. 
"  Read  it  to  me,  Grace." 

For  a  moment  she  hung  back,  unwilling,  then 
opened  the  note,  and  in  a  low,  tremulous  voice,  read 
as  follows : 


WINNING  HIS  SPUES.  351 

11  CAMP  SANDY,  A.  T.,  December  20,  187 — . 
"COLONEL  R.  R.  PELHAM,  Commanding  — th  Regi 
ment  of  Cavalry  U.S.A. 

"  COLONEL, — I  have  the  honor  to  tender  my  resig 
nation  of  the  adjutancy  of  the  regiment. 
"  Very  respectfully, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  JOHN  G.  TRUSCOTT, 

"  1st  Lieut,  —th  Cavalry." 

"  He  gives  no  reason  ?"  asked  the  colonel,  after  a 
long  and  painful  pause. 

"  Nothing,  father." 

Then  there  was  another  pause. 

"  Grace,  I  want  to  see  Major  Bucketts,"  said  he,  at 
last. 

And  presently  Major  Bucketts  came,  and,  after  usher 
ing  him  in,  she  left  the  room. 

"  Bucketts,"  said  the  colonel,  peevishly,  "  I  thought 
I  told  you  to  tell  Canker  not  to  mention  this  matter  to 
Mr.  Truscott  until — until  Tanner  got  back." 

"  You  did,  sir." 

"Didn't  you  do  it?" 

"  Certainly,  I  did,  sir.     At  stables  yesterday." 

"  But  here's  Truscott's  resignation,  and,  d — n  it !  I 
wanted  the  thing  stopped  until — well,  for  the  present 
anyhow.  Where  is  Captain  Canker?  Has  he  had 
anything  to  do  with  this,  do  you  know  ?" 

"  He  is  in  his  quarters,  sir,  and,  to  the  best  of  my 
knowledge  and  belief,  he  had  all  to  do  with  it." 

"  That's  horribly  awkward,"  said  the  colonel,  sitting 
up  in  bed.  "  Has  Truscott  gone  to  meet  the  body  ?" 


352  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"  No,  sir." 

"  He  hasn't  ?  Why,  I  supposed,  of  course,  he  would 
go." 

"  He  wanted  to  go,  sir,  but  Captain  Canker  refused 
permission."  And  it  was  evident  that  the  quartermas 
ter  was  grimly  enjoying  the  conversation. 

"  Canker  refused  him !  Why,  what's  the  man  think 
ing  of?  Truscott  ought  to  have  gone.  Where  is  he  ?" 

"  In  close  arrest,  sir,  in  his  quarters." 

"What!  What's  happened?"  exclaimed  Pelham, 
already  half  out  of  bed. 

"  Captain  Canker  took  it  upon  himself  to  use  very 
dangerous  language  to  Mr.  Truscott  at  stables.  I  did 
not  hear  it,  and  prefer  not  to  repeat  what  I  was  told, 
but  there  is  no  doubt  of  the  fact  that  Truscott  knocked 
him  flat,  and  that  Canker  is  spending  the  morning 
drawing  up  charges  and  specifications  by  the  quire." 

"  Go  and  say  to  the  captain  that  I  resume  command 
at  once,"  said  the  colonel,  slipping  out  of  bed  with 
astonishing  activity.  "  Then  come  to  the  office,  both 
of  you." 

Doleful  indeed  was  Captain  Canker's  appearance 
when  telling  his  tale  to  the  colonel  half  an  hour  after 
wards.  His  left  eye  was  covered  with  a  broad  bandage, 
and  his  nose  and  cheek  were  discolored  and  contused. 
Trembling  still  with  indignation  and  excitement  was 
the  captain,  and,  after  listening  patiently  to  his  recital, 
which,  of  course,  made  no  allusion  to  his  insulting, 
overbearing  manner,  and  somewhat  inaccurately  repre 
sented  his  language,  and  very  inaccurately  represented 
Truscott's  conduct,  Pelham  spoke  very  moderately  and 
kindly. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  353 

"  It  is,  of  course,  a  most  flagrant  breach  of  disci 
pline,  and  Mr.  Truscott  must  be  held  accountable.  I 
shall  confirm  the  arrest;  and  yet,  Captain  Canker,  did 
you  not  receive  a  message  from  me  directing  you  to 
postpone  further  action ;  not  to  say  anything,  in  fact, 
until — well,  for  the  present?" 

"  I  did,  sir,"  said  Canker,  coloring  painfully ;  "  but 
I  was  justly  indignant  at  his  ignoring  my  position  as 
commanding  officer,  and  Captain  Tanner  could  never 
return  to  us  now,  and  I  was  outraged,  I  suppose,  at  the 
idea  of  Mr.  Truscott's  being  allowed  to  appear  as  his 
friend.  Well,  there  were  a  dozen  reasons  why  I 
thought  he  ought  to  be  informed  at  once  that  his 
crime  was  known." 

Pelham  winced  at  the  word.  Already  he  was  be 
ginning  to  believe  an  awful  mistake  had  been  made. 
He  fidgeted  uneasily  in  his  chair. 

"But  how  came  you  to  speak  of  his  resignation? 
That  wasn't  necessary  that  I  can  see." 

And  Canker  had  no  satisfactory  explanation  to  offer, 
and  left  the  colonel's  office  in  a  very  unpleasant  frame 
of  mind.  Then  Pelham  sent  for  Raymond,  Carroll, 
and  Glenham,  and  questioned  them  as  eye-witnesses. 
Crane  and  Wilkins  also  were  summoned,  and  despite 
every  effort  on  their  part  to  say  as  little  as  possible  any 
way,  the  fact  became  pretty  clearly  established  that 
Canker  had  behaved  in  an  outrageously  unbecoming 
if  not  insulting  manner.  And  awfully  ill  at  ease  and 
unhappy  the  colonel  found  himself  at  the  end  of  his 
two  hours'  confabulation  with  those  gentlemen. 

Meantime,  Bucketts  sat  fuming  in  the  adjutant's 
chair.  In  his  pocket  he  had  Tanner's  last  letter  to 


354  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

Truscott,  one  that  would  have  forcibly  shaken  the 
colonel  and  his  confr&res,  but  Truscott  had  forbidden 
Bucketts  and  the  doctor  to  make  its  contents  known 
until  after  the  colonel  had  acted  upon  his  resignation. 

For  a  long  time  after  the  officers  had  gone,  Colonel 
Pelham  sat  there  at  his  desk  in  deep  perplexity.  All 
over  the  garrison  people  were  talking  of  the  exciting 
events  of  the  day.  Everybody  knew  that  Truscott 
was  in  close  arrest.  Everybody  had  heard  that  Canker 
had  virtually  demanded  the  resignation  of  the  adju 
tancy  in  the  colonel's  name.  Everybody  heard  in  some 
mysterious  way  that  the  resignation  had  been  tendered, 
and  all  were  eagerly  speculating  on  the  upshot.  This, 
too,  when  only  a  few  miles  away  now  the  lifeless  body 
of  their  gallant  comrade  was  being  borne  back  to  the 
post,  and,  all  unconscious  of  that  or  any  other  fact, 
poor  little  Mrs.  Tanner  lay  in  her  darkened  room  more 
dead  than  alive. 

At  last  the  colonel  rose  and  came  to  Bucketts'  desk. 

"  Have  you  had  any  conversation  with  Mr.  Truscott 
about  this  affair  ?"  said  he. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Bucketts,  promptly. 

"  Did  he — does  he  explain  this — I  mean — his  very 
suspicious  relations  with  Mrs.  Tanner  ?"  asked  Pelham. 
And  very  hesitatingly  he  asked,  and  painfully  embar 
rassed  he  looked. 

Bucketts  paused. 

11 1  do  not  know  that  I  have  any  right  to  answer 
that  question,  colonel.  In  the  absence  of  Turner  and 
Ray,  the  doctor  and  myself  seemed  to  be  the  only 
friends  left  to  him.  He  feels  most  keenly  the  manner 
in  which  the  matter  was  brought  to  his  notice,  and  as 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  355 

no  defence  was  necessary  where  the  doctor  or  myself 
were  concerned  he  made  none."  And  blushing  very 
much  but  still  looking  steadfastly  at  his  commander, 
Bucketts  went  on  :  He  liked  his  colonel, — was  greatly 
attached  to  him  in  fact, — but  was  stung  to  the  quick  by 
the  deep  trouble  brought  upon  his  friend  by  the  weak 
ness  and  mismanagement  of  that  officer. 

"Do  you  mean  to  say  that  he  has  a  satisfactory 
explanation  ?" 

"  Most  assuredly,  colonel." 

"  Then  why  does  he  not  come  forward  with  it,  or 
express  a  desire  to  do  so  ?  It  is  my  right  to  know  it." 

"He  certainly  would  have  done  so,  sir,  and  you 
.mist  pardon  me  if  I  seem  wanting  in  respect,  had  you 
yourself  sent  for  him  and  represented  the  allegations 
against  him  and  given  him  an  opportunity.  Instead 
of  that,  at  this  most  trying  time,  when  he  has  just  re 
turned  from  very  distinguished  service,  is  wounded  and 
sick,  his  best  friend  killed,  he  finds  you  holding  aloof 
from  him,  and  a  man  whom  he — whom  we  all  dislike, 
— whom  you  yourself  never  selected  as  an  intimate  be 
fore, — now  chosen  to  represent  you  in  a  most  delicate 
office,  and  you  see  how — how  he  did  it."  And  here 
Bucketts'  voice  rose  and  trembled  and  grew  husky. 
"  Again,  colonel,  I  beg  your  pardon  if  I  speak  too 
strongly,  but — I  feel  very  strongly." 

Redder  and  redder  Pelham  had  grown. 

"Do  you  mean  that  he  will  refuse  to  explain  tne 
matter  now  ?"  he  asked. 

"  For  Mrs.  Tanner's  sake  he  may  explain,"  answered 
Bucketts ;  "  for  his  own  I  am  not  prepared  to  say." 

"  Well,  send  for  him,  anyhow.    I  want  to  see  him  at 


356  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

once,"  said  the  colonel,  with  a  nervous  twitching  about 
his  face.  It  was  plain  that  he  was  nettled,  miserable, 
and  dissatisfied  with  himself  and  everybody  else. 

And  so  it  happened  that  Jack  Truscott,  to  his  great 
surprise,  as  he  sat  talking  with  Raymond  and  Carroll, 
received  a  summons  to  come  at  once  to  the  commanding 
officer's  presence.  A  dozen  pairs  of  eyes  watched  him 
as  he  walked  slowly  down  the  line,  for  he  was  still  far 
from  well,  and  many  were  the  speculations  as  to  the 
meaning  of  this  move. 

Presently,  cap  in  hand,  he  appeared  at  the  office- 
door  and  knocked.  Pelham  had  watched  him  as  he 
came,  and  with  a  shock  of  distress  noted  how  very  pale 
and  haggard  he  looked :  but  as  he  entered  and  stood 
erect  before  his  colonel,  his  head  seem  carried  even 
higher,  his  bearing  was  calm  as  ever,  but  haughty.  He 
said  not  a  word. 

"  Mr.  Truscott,"  said  Pelham,  "  I  have  sent  for  you 
because  it  is  most  necessary  that  a  very  unpleasant  mat 
ter  should  be  cleared  up  at  once.  I  am  given  to  un 
derstand  by  your  friends  that  you  are  perfectly  able  to 
explain  away  all  suspicion  that  may  have  attached  to 
your  conduct  of  late,  and,  if  so,  and  you  are  entirely 
innocent  in  the  matter,  your  violence  to  Captain  Canker 
this  morning  may  in  a  measure  be  condoned, — and 
other — other  disagreeable  features  be  suppressed.  Are 
you  prepared  to  offer  such  explanation  ?" 

"  No,  sir."  And  the  answer  was  prompt,  but  so  stern 
and  low  that  Pelham  fairly  started. 

"  Do  you  mean  that  you  have  no  explanation  ?" 

"  I  mean  that  after  the  language  of  the  officer  se 
lected  as  your  spokesman  this  morning  I  will  not  con- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  357 

descend  to  defend  myself,  sir.  The  time  for  that  has 
passed." 

"  Are  you  aware — do  you  realize  that  your  refusal 
makes  it  my  duty  to  proceed  to  take  action  in  your 
case  ?"  And  the  colonel's  voice  trembled  so  that  he  could 
hardly  speak,  and  he  could  not  look  at  Truscott. 

«  Perfectly,  sir." 

"  Then  that  is  all,  Mr.  Truscott,"  said  the  colonel. 
And  that  night  at  retreat  everybody  knew  that  the  ad 
jutant  was  "  broken,"  and  was  wondering  who  would 
be  the  next  victim. 

It  was  late  in  the  evening  when  the  detachment,  now 
commanded  by  Lieutenant  Ray,  escorting  Tanner's 
honored  remains,  reached  Sandy  and  scattered  to  quar 
ters.  Kay  did  not  wait  for  any  change  of  raiment. 
After  having  placed  the  body  in  charge  of  the  doctors 
at  the  hospital,  he  went  at  once  to  Truscott's  quarters, 
and  that  evening  Turner,  Raymond,  Ray,  and  Bucketts 
spent  in  earnest  consultation  with  the  ex-adjutant. 
Down  at  the  store  various  congenial  spirits  were  sol 
emnly  discussing  the  situation  over  their  toddies. 

"  What  do  you  think  will  happen  now  ?"  asked  Mr. 
Wilkins  of  the  group  gathered  about  the  store. 

"Well,  Ray  has  been  with  Truscott  for  the  last 
hour,"  said  Mr.  Hunter,  "  and  I'll  bet  that  there  will 
be  a  circus  if  he  is  called  in." 

"  What  do  you  want  to  bet  Ray  isn't  made  adju 
tant?" 

"Anything  you  like,  Wilkins,  for  the  simple  reason 
that  madame  wants  that  place  for  son-in-law  Arty," 
replied  an  irreverent  youth,  but  it  would  be  unkind  to 
mention  his  name. 


353  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR 


CHAPTER    XX. 

ON  the  following  morning  the  preparations  for  Cap 
tain  Tanner's  funeral  were  complete.  There  had  been 
a  decided  halt  for  a  few  moments  when  it  came  to  the 
selection  of  the  pall-bearers,  as  they  had  to  be  chosen 
by  Colonel  Pelham,  poor  Mrs.  Tanner  being  still  too 
desperately  ill  to  more  than  faintly  realize  where  she 
was  or  to  recognize  those  who  stood  at  her  bedside. 
The  colonel's  heart  was  sore  against  Truscott;  for,  while 
he  could  not  say  that  his  manner  had  been  in  the  least 
disrespectful  on  the  previous  afternoon,  he  could  com 
plain  and  did  complain  that  there  was  a  spice  of  in 
subordination  in  the  subaltern's  total  refusal  to  offer 
any  explanation.  He  resented  the  fact  that  Truscott 
evidently  resented  his  conduct.  He  was  stung  to  think 
that  Truscott  had  friends  to  whom  he  readily  furnished 
the  proofs  of  his  innocence,  yet  forbade  their  using  them 
"  officially" ;  and  although  he  felt  and  knew  that  had 
he  himself  asked  Truscott  for  these  proofs  in  the  first 
place,  they  would  have  been  promptly  set  before  him, 
he  refused  to  see  that,  in  having  made  Captain  Canker 
his  minister  plenipotentiary  for  the  time  being,  he  had 
given  Truscott  good  cause  for  his  action  in  declining  to 
defend  himself  at  the  eleventh  hour.  The  more  he 
heard  of  Canker's  language  and  manner  in  the  now 
famous  interview  the  less  he  liked  it,  the  more  he  real- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  359 

ized  that  he  had  made  an  awful  blunder  in  intrusting 
such  a  matter  to  him,  and  the  more  peevish  and  irrita 
ble  the  poor  old  gentleman  grew.  Just  at  retreat  the 
evening  of  his  brief  conversation  with  Truscott,  Dr. 
Clayton,  the  post-surgeon,  had  met  him  and  announced 
the  arrival  of  the  physician  from  Fort  "Whipple,  and 
that  the  latter  said  it  was  more  than  probable  that 
the  general  and  some  of  his  staff  would  come  down 
to  be  present  at  Tanner's  funeral.  Telegrams  very 
congratulatory  in  their  tone  had  been  flying  over  the 
wires  from  Prescott  ever  since  Truscott's  return  with 
the  news  of  the  first  fight.  Then  there  came  frequent 
inquiries  by  wire  after  Truscott's  health ;  then  a  deeply 
sympathetic  message  announcing  the  receipt  of  the  tid 
ings  of  Tanner's  death ;  then  inquiries  after  Mrs.  Tan 
ner,  and  then  they  stopped  coming  to  him  entirely, 
though  the  doctor  received  frequent  despatches.  This 
added  to  Colonel  Pel  ham's  fretfulness.  It  was  mere 
accident  and  no  slight  whatever  was  intended,  but  he 
believed  that  in  some  way  news  of  the  Truscott-Canker 
affray  had  reached  headquarters  and  that  his  conduct 
as  post-commander  was  disapproved, — or  something, — 
and,  being  a  loyal  adherent  of  the  commanding  general 
and  a  faithful  friend,  it  worried  him  inexpressibly. 

The  telegraph  operator  denied  having  sent  any  de 
spatch  relating  to  the  affair,  but  it  had  been  suspected 
on  more  than  one  occasion  that  Corcoran  had  sent  "  con 
fidential"  messages  on  his  own  account  to  the  operator 
there,  and  this  was  so  spicy  a  piece  of  news  that  it  was 
more  than  believed  that  he  had  communicated  the 
whole  story,  with  probable  theories  and  comments  of 
his  own.  Certain  it  is  that  before  sunset  that  day  a 


300  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

rumor  was  in  circulation  at  Fort  Whipple  that  Captain 
Canker  had  received  a  terrific  thrashing  at  the  hands  of 
the  adjutant,  that  a  duel  was  imminent,  and  then  that 
Truscott  was  in  arrest  and  to  be  tried  by  court-martial. 

"Has  Dr.  Harper  seen  Mrs.  Tanner  yet?"  asked 
Pelham,  anxiously. 

"  Not  yet,  sir.  "We  are  going  in  together  as  soon  as 
he  has  changed  his  dress ;  he  is  at  my  quarters  now, — 
at  least  he  will  be  in  a  minute ;"  and  the  doctor  looked 
uneasily  up  the  row,  and  that  led  Pelham  also  to  look 
the  same  way.  And  as  they  did  so,  Dr.  Harper  came 
forth  from  the  adjutant's,  the  ex-adjutant's  quarters 
by  this  time,  and  the  colonel  reddened  as  he  saw  it. 
Everybody  whom  he  most  liked  and  respected  was  evi 
dently  in  sympathy  with  Truscott.  No  one  went  to 
inquire  after  Canker  and  his  black  eye,  yet  here,  the 
moment  the  post-surgeon  from  Fort  Whipple  arrived, 
he  must  needs  run  in  to  see  Truscott  before  going  any 
where  else.  Pelham  fairly  winced. 

"  Look  here,  doctor,"  he  said,  impatiently.  "  You 
know — I  suppose  everybody  knows  by  this  time — how 
your  patient  has  been  compromised  by  Mr.  Truscott's 
conduct,  and  I  suppose  you  know  that  he  positively  de 
clined  to  offer  any  explanation  when  I  called  upon  him 
for  it." 

"  I  do,  sir,"  said  the  doctor,  gravely. 

"Well,  I'm  told  that  he  has  explained  matters  to 
one  or  two  officers,  yourself  included,  though  he  refused 
to  explain  to  me,  who  had  the  best  right  to  know. 
Also  I'm  told  that  you  are  convinced  of  his  entire  in 
nocence." 

"  I  never  doubted  it,  sir,  much  less  hers." 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  361 

"  Then,  doctor,  I  think  it  your  business  to  give  me 
your  reasons.  If  I've  done  him — or — or  anybody  else 
injustice,  I  want  to  know  it;  but  Fm  confounded  if  I 
can  see  how  he  can  explain  what — what  has  been  seen 
by  everybody,"  said  poor  Pelham,  irritably. 

Dr.  Clayton  merely  bowed. 

"  You  will  not  give  your  reasons  ?" 

"Not  now,  sir,"  and  the  doctor  was  scrupulously 
respectful  in  tone  and  manner. 

The  colonel  turned  short  on  his  heel  and  entered  the 
house.  Glenham  was  seated  with  Grace  in  the  parlor, 
and  Grace,  looking  far  from  well,  glanced  up  eagerly 
and  wistfully  in  her  father's  face.  He  went  up-stairs 
without  a  word. 

Late  that  evening  a  despatch  arrived  saying  that  the 
general  with  Colonel  Wickham  and  Mr.  Bright  of 
his  staff  were  on  their  way  to  Sandy,  and  would  arrive 
by  noon  on  the  following  day.  In  the  morning,  there 
fore,  he  had  to  select  the  pall-bearers,  and  before 
breakfast  Lady  Pelham  began  her  questioning.  She 
had  heard  with  eager  satisfaction  the  announcement  of 
Truscott's  relief  from  duty  as  adjutant  of  the  regiment ; 
she  had  already  paved  the  way,  she  thought,  for  the 
appointment  of  a  successor  suitable  to  herself,  and  yet, 
so  long  as  Truscott  remained  at  the  post  she  could  not 
rest  content :  he  was  dangerous,  she  argued,  and  must 
be  gotten  rid  of.  An  order  assigning  him  to  duty  with 
one  of  the  troops  serving  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
Territory  was  what  she  wanted,  if  indeed  he  did  not 
have  to  quit  the  service  entirely ;  but  the  death  of  Cap 
tain  Tanner  had  put  an  unexpected  bar  on  that  plan, 
as  his  troop  was  now  left  without  an  officer  "  present 


362  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

for  duty,"  the  senior  lieutenant  of  the  regiment  who 
would  succeed  to  the  captaincy  being,  as  is  not  unusual 
in  such  cases,  on  detached  duty  in  an  Eastern  city,  with 
no  intention  whatsoever  of  throwing  up  his  detail  as 
an  aide-de-camp  so  long  as  his  regiment  was  roughing 
it  in  Arizona.  This  she  saw  would  be  likely  to  result 
in  Truscott's  being  ordered  to  assume  command  of  Tan 
ner's  troop.  Then  came  his  affray  with  Canker,  his 
arrest  and  prospective  court-martial,  and  now,  to  her 
dismay,  she  realized  that  not  only  was  that  going  to 
detain  him  at  the  post,  but  that  already  everybody  was 
beginning  to  veer  around,  and  public  sympathy  was 
largely  excited  in  favor  of  the  very  people  whom  she  had 
been  instrumental  in  bringing  into  trouble.  Madame 
felt  the  ground  giving  way  beneath  her  feet.  Already 
she  had  learned  that,  while  Truscott  had  indignantly 
refused  to  utter  a  word  in  his  defence,  his  utter  inno 
cence  of  wrong  in  thought  or  deed  had  been  so  clearly 
established  that  his  friends  were  triumphant,  his  enemies 
disconcerted,  and  the  ladies  who  but  two  days  before 
were  whispering  all  manner  of  scandal  at  the  expense 
of  poor  little  Mrs.  Tanner,  now  found  it  expedient  to 
hold  their  tongues  and  wait.  It  was  getting  unpopular 
to  say  anything  that  might  be  construed  as  an  insinu 
ation  against  her,  and  at  all  hours  of  the  day  the  gentle 
and  forgiving  creatures  had  been  swarming  to  her 
quarters  to  see  if  there  really  wasn't  something  they 
could  do.  And  that  evening  as  a  party  of  them  stood 
talking  in  low  tones  upon  the  Turners'  gallery,  Mrs. 
Raymond  found  opportunity  to  say, — 

"  Well,  I'm  thankful  I  never  said  a  word  against 
her." 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  3G3 

"  And  so  am  I, — devoutly,"  echoed  Mrs.  Turner. 

Of  course  Lady  Pelham  could  see  no  possible  way 
of  escape  for  Truscott.  His  conduct  and  Mrs.  Tan 
ner's  indiscretion  were  past  all  explanation  in  her 
severely  virtuous  mind,  but  it  was  disconcerting  to  ob 
serve  that  "  the  best  people  in  the  garrison"  were  ex 
hibiting  decided  change  of  heart  and  correspondingly 
avoiding  her,  "  As  if  /  were  the  one  to  blame,"  said 
her  ladyship. 

In  selecting  the  pall-bearers  Colonel  Pelham  asked 
nobody's  advice.  Madame  had  attempted  some  ques 
tioning,  but  was  warned  by  the  knitting  of  his  brow 
and  an  impatient  gesture  that  he  desired  none  of  her 
interference.  Handing  the  list  to  Major  Bucketts,  the 
colonel  briefly  told  him  to  notify  the  gentlemen  there 
named  and  to  detail  Captain  Canker  and  his  troop  for 
the  escort.  There  was  fitness  in  that  selection,  as  Mr. 
Ray  observed,  for  the  captain  was  already  in  half- 
mourning,  but  Truscott's  name  was  not  on  the  list  of 
pall-bearers,  and  thereat  Mr.  Ray  saw  fit  to  wax  in 
dignant.  He  had  no  idea  of  policy,  and,  finding  that 
he  had  been  named  as  one  of  them,  proceeded  straight 
to  the  colonel's  office,  and  for  the  first  time  since  his 
return  from  scout  exhibited  himself  to  his  commander. 

"Colonel,  I  was  the  last  officer  of  the  regiment  to 
see  Captain  Tanner  alive,  and  during  this  late  scout  I 
had  more  than  one  confidential  talk  with  him.  Will 
you  permit  me  to  say  that  the  omission  of  Mr.  Truscott's 
name  from  the  list  of  pall-bearers  would  be  the  last 
thing  Captain  Tanner  would  wish  could  he  express  a 
wish  ?" 

The  colonel  liked  Ray, — liked  him  better  than  ever 


364  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

since  his  adventure  with  Grace,  and,  as  some  of  the 
captains  growlingly  remarked,  " '  Old  Catnip'  would 
put  up  with  anything  in  Ray's  troop  and  wouldn't  stand 
a  rusty  buckle  in  anybody  else's."  It  was  not  strictly 
accurate,  but  as  an  expression  of  the  prevailing  opinion 
was  not  greatly  overdrawn.  Very  probably  he  would 
have  severely  snubbed  any  other  officer,  and  even  to 
Hay  he  spoke  sternly. 

"  Mr.  Truscott  is  in  arrest,  sir." 

"  I  know  it,  colonel ;  but  you  surely  do  not  mean  to 
prohibit  his  attending  the  funeral  of  his  old  captain 
and  oldest  friend." 

It  was  just  what  Pelham  had  intended  doing.  That 
is  to  say,  he  meant  to  grant  no  extension  of  limits  or 
suspension  from  arrest  unless  Truscott  asked  it;  but 
the  hour  was  drawing  nigh,  Truscott  had  not  asked, 
and  the  old  gentleman  was  getting  vastly  afraid  that  he 
would  not. 

"  Mr.  Truscott  has  refused  to  vindicate  his  reputa 
tion,  sir,  and  I  do  not  think  that  in  this  matter  he  can 
expect  much  consideration,"  said  the  colonel,  trying  to 
feel  that  what  he  said  was  just. 

"  It  is  more  for  the  consideration  due  to  Captain  Tan 
ner  and  to  the  regiment,  colonel,  that  I  am  appealing," 
said  Ray,  boldly.  "  Mr.  Truscott  would  prohibit  my 
appealing  for  him." 

"  The  regiment,  sir,  is  inclined  to  the  belief  that  if 
Mr.  Truscott  had  been  as  careful  of  the  honor  of  Cap 
tain  Tanner  during  his  life  as  he  desires  to  be  of  the 
honors  due  him  after  death,  he  would  stand  higher  than 
he  does  this  day." 

Instantly  he  realized  that  he  had  said  too  much,  and 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  3(55 

would  have  been  glad  to  recall  it.  Ray  flushed  crim 
son  with  indignation. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  Colonel  Pelham.  You  will 
find  that  the  men  of  the  regiment  do  not  agree  with 
you,"  he  said,  hotly. 

"You  are  forgetting  yourself,  Mr.  Ray,"  said  the 
colonel.  "  Leave  the  office,  sir !"  And,  gritting  his  teeth 
and  looking  very  red  in  the  face,  Mr.  Ray  did  as  he 
was  bid. 

Nevertheless,  in  half  an  hour  the  colonel  sent  Major 
Bucketts  to  say  to  Mr.  Truscott  that  his  arrest  would 
be  suspended  until  retreat,  in  order  that  he  might  have 
an  opportunity  of  attending  the  obsequies  of  his  late 
captain. 

And  so  it  happened  later  that  bright  wintry  day 
that  the  guards  at  the  large  empty  ward  of  the  post- 
hospital  respectfully  stood  aside  and  opened  the  door 
to  the  tall  young  officer  who  silently  entered.  The 
two  hospital  attendants  sitting  near  a  low  table  in  the 
middle  of  the  room  rose  and  drew  back,  one  of  them 
reverently  raising  the  fold  of  the  flag  draped  over  the 
head  of  the  cloth-covered  coffin,  and  Jack  Truscott 
stood  gazing  down  into  the  calm,  pallid  features  of  his 
friend. 

Oh,  what  memories  came  surging  up  before  him  as  he 
hung  over  the  casket !  More  than  eight  years  before, 
when  fresh  from  West  Point,  he  had  reported  for  duty 
with  Tanner's  company,  and,  joining  him  in  Kansas, 
had  served  with  him  through  more  than  one  eventful 
campaign  against  the  Sioux,  Cheyennes,  and  Arra- 
pahoes;  had  found  his  captain  always  thoughtful, 
courteous,  and  considerate ;  had  learned  to  trust  him 

81* 


366  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

implicitly,  and  little  by  little  to  look  up  to  and  love 
him.  Together  they  had  "roughed  it'7  over  the 
prairies  and  "  messed"  in  garrison ;  together  they  had 
gone  East  the  second  year  of  Jack's  service  with  the 
company,  and  he  had  appeared  as  best  man  at  the  quiet 
little  ceremony  which  made  his  captain  the  happiest 
fellow  on  earth.  And  there  he  had  met  in  the  person 
of  his  bridesmaid  the  sister  of  the  sweet  woman  of 
whom  Tanner  had  so  often  talked  to  him  on  their  long 
rides,  and,  in  a  beauty  more  radiant,  a  wit  more  spark 
ling,  a  vivacity  more  attractive,  Jack  Truscott  had 
been  able  to  believe  he  saw  all  the  nobler  attributes 
which  existed  in  the  gentle  bride  his  comrade  had  won. 
In  another  year  a  courtship,  conducted  mainly  by  cor 
respondence,  had  resulted  in  his  engagement  to  be  mar 
ried  to  the  younger  sister  of  his  captain's  wife,  and  yet 
he  marvelled  that  she  should  desire  that  it  be  not  yet 
announced,  and  had  marvelled  more  that  as  day  after 
day  his  relations  with  Tanner  and  his  wife  grew  more 
cordial  and  intimate,  Mrs.  Tanner  could  never  seem 
perfectly  unembarrassed  or  confidently  happy  about 
that  engagement. 

Then  her  baby  had  been  born,  and  he  had  been  de 
voted  to  little  Bertie.  Could  he  ever  forget  Tanner's 
choking  voice  and  tear-dimmed  eyes  when  he  got  back 
and  tried  to  thank  him  for  nursing  the  little  one  through 
tint  terrible  illness?  And  then  when,  after  all,  they  lost 
the  child,  how  well  he  recalled  her  agony  and  his 
deep,  manfully-subdued  grief!  How  he  recalled  the 
long  winter  evenings  in  that  bleak  frontier  fort  when 
she  with  her  sewing,  he  and  Tanner  with  their  books 
or  papers,  sat  by  the  hour  together,  sometimes  hardly 


WINNING   PIIS  SPURS.  3(J7 

speaking  at  all !  And  how  they  had  gone,  Mrs.  Tanner 
and  he,  to  plant  the  flowers  around  the  little  grave 
down  by  the  stream ;  and  then  how,  despite  her  grief, 
she  seemed  to  watch  him  all  that  winter  and  the  spring 
that  followed,  until  he  went  away  to  assume  the  duties 
of  the  adjutancy.  And  how  oddly,  unusually  earnest 
and  affectionate  and  solicitous  Tanner's  behavior  to  him 
had  become,  and  his  letters  after  he  went  away.  He 
used  to  wonder  at  it  then ;  but  his  letters  from  the  East, 
from  his  fiancee,  had  been  growing  less  frequent,  more 
hurried,  more  unsatisfactory  for  a  year,  and  when  he 
took  his  leave  of  absence  and  went  on  to  satisfy  him 
self  as  to  whether  all  was  really  as  it  should  be,  the 
truth  came  out.  The  wealth  and  position  of  a  promi 
nent  merchant,  a  widower  with  three  or  four  children, 
had  been  too  much  for  her  brief  infatuation  for  a  dis 
tant  subaltern  in  the  cavalry,  and,  like  a  sensible  girl, 
she  embraced  her  opportunity — and  the  widower ;  and 
Jack  came  back  to  the  — th  by  no  means  the  heart 
broken  man  he  ought  to  have  been.  It  was  Mrs.  Tan 
ner  who  felt  it  most.  She  never  forgave  her  sister, 
and,  in  her  gentle,  womanly  way,  she  redoubled  her 
thoughtfulness  for  Jack,  and  more  than  ever  had  they 
welcomed  him  to  their  cosy  quarters.  But  then  came  the 
move  to  Arizona, — a  temporary  separation.  And  when 
he  again  met  his  old  comrades,  he  marked  with  dismay 
her  pallid  cheek,  and  learned  in  a  few  broken  words 
from  Tanner  that  what  they  feared  in  Kansas  was  now 
an  undisputed  fact.  Heart  disease  in  a  dangerous 
form  had  fastened  upon  her,  and  great  care,  said  the 
physicians  who  were  consulted,  had  to  be  exercised. 
She  knew  it  all  as  well  as  they,  but  was  ever  bright, 


368  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

brave,  and  cheery,  and  no  one  but  Tanner,  Truscott, 
and  the  doctors  ever  suspected  or  at  least  knew  the 
truth.  Stronger  and  firmer  had  grown  the  ties  which 
bound  Tanner  and  himself  together,  but  neither  was 
demonstrative.  No  one  but  Mrs.  Tanner  ever  dreamed 
how  much  they  were  to  each  other. 

And  now — and  now  the  loving,  devoted  husband,  the 
indulgent  father,  the  dutiful  soldier,  the  faithful  friend 
lay  here  cold, — dead  to  his  grief  and  desolation ;  and  she, 
the  sweet,  pure,  gentle  wife,  mother,  and  friend,  lay  at 
death's  door,  robbed  of  her  husband  who  was  all  in  all 
to  her;  robbed  of  her  friend  who  would  have  given 
his  right  hand  to  aid  her ;  robbed  of  her  good  name 
by  the  infamous  twaddle  of  garrison  gossips ;  and  he — 
he  who  had  so  reverenced  and  honored  and  loved  them 
both,  stood  accused,  even  by  the  commander  whom  he 
had  served  so  faithfully  and  well,  of  having  dishonored 
the  holiest  friendship  he  had  ever  known.  More  than 
that.  His  colonel's  daughter,  to  whom  he  had  given 
the  strength  and  fervor  of  a  man's  deep  love,  was  cited 
as  a  witness  against  him.  Oh,  bitter,  bitter  were  his 
thoughts,  but  presently  he  had  to  thrust  them  away. 
It  was  almost  time  for  the  formation  of  the  escort,  and 
he  must  take  leave  of  the  first  and  firmest  friend  he  had 
found  in  all  his  army  life.  Jack  bent  and  tenderly 
brushed  aside  the  dark  hair  from  the  cold  white  fore 
head,  and  then  kneeling,  pressed  his  lips  upon  the 
placid  face,  and  hot  tears  rolled  down  his  cheeks. 
Even  as  he  knelt  there,  with  one  arm  thrown  over  the 
coffin,  alone  in  his  bereavement,  the  door  again  softly 
opened  and  two  persons  entered.  He  heard  them  not, 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  369 

and  never  moved.  But  they  saw  him,  and  stopped  :  a 
fragile,  graceful  girl  clinging  to  the  arm  of  a  stout, 
rugged  old  soldier.  She  bore  in  her  hand  a  little 
wreath  of  wild-flowers,  simple  and  homely  enough,  but 
the  best  that  hours  of  search  could  discover  in  that  re 
mote  region.  She  had  come  to  place  them  upon  the 
bier  of  the  gallant  troop-commander  her  father  so  hon 
ored;  but  at  sight  of  Truscott  she  held  back,  and 
father  and  daughter  stood  motionless  an  instant  re 
garding  him.  The  attendant  stepped  forward  to  offer 
a  chair,  and  at  the  sound  of  his  footfall  Truscott  raised 
his  head  and  saw  them.  One  second  of  indecision  fol 
lowed.  Then,  with  one  lingering  look  in  the  face  of 
the  dead,  without  another  glance  at  Grace  or  the  col 
onel,  he  slowly  walked  away. 

An  hour  after,  to  the  wailing  notes  of  the  band,  the 
solemn  cortege  formed  around  the  new-made  grave 
among  the  foot-hills  west  of  the  post.  There  stood 
Canker's  company,  dismounted,  and  in  full-dress  uni 
form,  the  escort  of  the  soldier-dead;  there  stood  the 
gray-haired  chaplain,  whose  tremulous  voice  rose  and 
fell  in  mournful  cadence  on  the  still  evening  air;  there, 
leaning  on  their  sabres,  were  grouped  the  officers  of  the 
garrison,  the  general  commanding  and  his  aides,  all 
with  reverently  uncovered  head,  many  with  tear- 
dimmed  eyes ;  there  stood  a  mourning,  weeping  group 
of  ladies,  the  wives  of  brother  officers,  and  among 
them  many  a  heart  faltered  in  the  dread  that  any  day 
it  might  be  their  lot  to  stand  there  and  see  that  same 
flag  lifted  from  the  form  of  him  who  was  all  in  all,  as 
this  had  been  all  in  all  to  her  who  lay  sore-stricken  in 
the  desolation  of  her  home.  All  around  were  grouped 
y 


370  THE  COLONEUS  DAUGHTER-,    OR, 

the  soldiers  of  the  post,  for  loved  and  honored  he  had 
been  among  them.  And  there,  near  the  foot  of  the 
grave,  stood  Truscott,  holding  weeping  little  Rosalie  in 
his  arms.  She  would  go  to  no  one,  walk  with  no  one 
but  Uncle  Jack,  and  until  he  came  and  took  her  to  his 
strong,  heaving  breast  and  buried  her  bright  curls  on 
his  broad  shoulder,  the  lonely  little  girl  had  cried  pite- 
ously  for  him.  And  now  they  stood  there  clasped  in 
each  other's  embrace,  while  all  that  was  mortal  of  the 
gallant  officer  and  gentleman  was  lowered  to  the  grave, 
and  the  solemn  tones  of  the  old  chaplain  gave  thanks 
"  for  the  good  example  of  all  those  Thy  servants  who, 
having  finished  their  course  in  faith,  do  now  rest  from 
their  labors."  The  heavy  clods  had  fallen,  the  last 
prayer  and  blessing  had  been  spoken,  the  grace  of  Him 
who  suffered  and  died  once  more  invoked,  and  then 
the  sombre  throng  fell  back  from  the  grave,  the  bright- 
plumed  helmets  of  the  escort  ranged  up  in  line,  the 
muffled  word  of  command  was  given,  the  carbines 
flashed  their  parting  volleys  over  the  clay  their  ringing 
clamor  could  no  longer  thrill,  the  notes  cf  the  trumpets 
floated  away  with  the  smoke  of  the  discharge,  "  Taps," 
the  soldiers'  signal  for  "  extinguish  lights"  the  world 
over,  died  away  in  distant  echoes  across  the  valley, 
and  all  was  over.  Ay,  put  out  your  light,  old  fellow, 
gallant  comrade,  trusted  friend.  Rest  in  peace,  and 
may  God  grant  you  a  joyous  waking  at  the  great  re 
veille  !  But  now,  allons  !  Le  roi  est  mortj  vive  the  next 
man  !  Lieutenant  Stafford  becomes  captain  vice  the  de 
ceased.  It's  an  ill  wind  that  blows  nobody  good.  Our 
turn  may  come  next.  Who  knows?  It's  all  in  the 
business.  Soldiers  cannot  stop  to  mourn.  Life  is  too 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  37] 

short,  anyway.  So  strike  up  your  liveliest  music, 
trumpeters.  "Fours  right/7  gentlemen  of  the  escort. 
"Left  front  into  line,  double-time,"  go  the  platoons 
as  they  clear  the  enclosure,  and  the  band  bursts 
into  the  ringing,  lively,  rollicking  quickstep  from 
La  Fille  de  Madame  Angot,  and  with  elastic  steps 
we  march  away  from  the  grave  where  our  hero  lies 
buried. 

And  now,  gentlemen,  to  business !  First  and  fore 
most  this  matter  of  Truscott's  has  to  be  settled.  The 
general  has  heard  all  about  it,  of  course,  and  has  not 
a  word  to  say.  It  is  a  regimental  matter  entirely,  and 
if  the  colonel  should  consider  it  necessary  to  forward 
charges  against  Mr.  Truscott  for  his  assault  on  t\ie  pro 
tempore  commanding  officer,  why,  Mr.  Truscott  must  be 
tried  by  court-martial.  All  the  same,  the  chief  has  re 
ceived  Tanner's  last  official  report,  in  which  the  conduct 
of  Truscott  and  Ray  has  been  highly  praised,  and  he 
sends  for  both  those  gentlemen  and  shakes  them  warmly 
by  the  hand  and  congratulates  them  heartily.  He  says 
very  little,  talking  is  not  his  forte,  but  white  and  In 
dian  well  know  that  what  he  says  he  means,  and  the 
wariest  redskin  will  take  his  faintest  promise  in  prefer 
ence  to  any  agreement  stamped  with  the  great  seal  of 
the  Indian  bureau.  To  Truscott  and  Ray  he  says  not 
a  word  concerning  the  former's  arrest;  he  is  totally 
oblivious  to  Canker's  black  eye,  and  is  scrupulously 
courteous  to  that  officer  when  he  meets  him ;  he  listens 
patiently  to  Colonel  Pelham's  recital  of  the  aifair,  be 
cause  Pelham  thinks  he  must  allude  to  it,  but  he  ex 
presses  no  opinion  whatever  and  has  no  suggestions  to 
make.  He  calls  laboriously  on  every  lady  in  the  gar- 


372  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

rison  accompanied  by  Mr.  Bright,  and  condoles  with 
each  in  appropriate  terms  upon  the  great  loss  the  regi 
ment  has  sustained,  but  he  generally  manages  to  let 
them  do  all  the  talking,  a  matter  that  requires  but  little 
ingenuity  to  be  sure,  and  to  limit  his  call  to  four  or 
five  minutes ;  but  at  Mrs.  Tanner's  he  leaves  his  card 
and  many  a  warm  inquiry,  and  directs  Dr.  Harper  to 
remain  there  "  until  he  has  pulled  her  through/'  and 
he  holds  little  Rosalie  in  his  arms  and  presses  his 
bearded,  kindly  face  against  hers,  and  something  sus 
piciously  like  moisture  stands  thick  in  his  eyes  as  he 
comes  away.  Then,  refusing  all  escort,  he  starts  back 
for  Prescott ;  but  meantime  Colonel  Wickham  has  had 
a  plain  talk  with  Pelham,  likewise  with  Canker,  and 
the  latter,  who  has  used  up  some  quires  of  legal  cap 
in  his  concoction  of  charges  against  Truscott,  thinks 
it  advisable  at  least  to  revise  and  condense ;  and  im 
mediately  after  dinner  that  evening  Mr.  Ray  accom 
panies  Truscott  and  Bucketts  to  the  ex-adjutant's 
quarters. 

The  mess  has  not  been  a  particularly  convivial  place 
of  late,  and  since  Mr.  Ray's  return  the  conversation 
has  been  more  highly  spiced  with  pepper  than  the 
viands.  Truscott,  the  two  doctors,  and  Bucketts  have 
been  very  grave  and  silent,  but  Ray  has  kept  the  ball 
of  conversation  rolling  in  a  way  that  at  another  time 
would  have  afforded  immense  entertainment  to  the 
elders.  It  is  observed  that  unless  spoken  to  by  them 
he  never  addresses  or  notices  Hunter  or  Glenham. 
Crane  he  cut  long  ago,  and  his  demeanor  to  every  officer 
whom  he  fancies  in  the  most  remote  manner  to  have 
had  anything  to  do  with  the  stories  at  Truscott's  ex 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  373 

pense  is  in  the  last  degree  suggestive  of  "  Won't  you 
have  the  goodness  to  knock  this  chip  off  my  shoulder, 
or  even  ever  so  lightly  tread  on  the  tail  of  my  coat?" 
Captain  Canker  he  encountered  in  front  of  his  quarters 
the  very  evening  of  his  return,  and  something  in  his 
expression  caused  the  captain  to  reflect  and  to  restrain 
his  impulse  to  hold  forth  his  hand.  It  was  a  fortunate 
inspiration,  for,  looking  him  straight  in  the  face,  Mr. 
Kay  passed  him  by  without  any  recognition  whatever, 
and  Canker,  who  really  liked  the  young  fellow  greatly, 
was  stung  to  the  quick. 

And  now  the  day  before  Christmas  had  come,  and 
after  the  routine  business  of  the  office  had  been  trans 
acted,  Major  Bucketts,  who  still  occupied  the  adjutant's 
chair,  inquired  of  the  colonel  at  what  time  it  would  be 
convenient  to  him  to  see  the  doctor  and  himself  on 
matters  connected  with  the  allegations  against  Mr.  Trus- 
cott,  and  the  colonel  eagerly  answered  the  sooner  the 
better.  In  a  short  time,  therefore,  Dr.  Clayton  ar 
rived,  accompanied  by  Captain  Turner,  who  had  a  small 
packet  of  papers  in  his  hand.  All  being  seated  and 
the  doors  closed,  the  colonel  inquired, — 

"  Well,  gentlemen,  what  have  you  to  say  ?"  And 
the  doctor  became  the  spokesman. 

"  Colonel  Pelham,  as  Mrs.  Tanner  is  recovering  and 
will  soon  be  in  a  condition  to  enable  her  to  attend  to 
her  husband's  affairs,  it  becomes  necessary  that  Mr. 
Truscott  should  be  able  to  assist  her.  Captain  Turner 
has  here  written  directions  of  Captain  Tanner's  that,  in 
the  event  of  his  sudden  death,  Mr.  Truscott  should 
take  charge  of  his  papers,  etc.,  as  he  was  acquainted 
with  all  the  details  of  his  business  affairs.  His  will  is 

32 


374  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

very  brief,  he  indicates,  and  leaves  everything  unre 
servedly  to  his  widow  and  children,  but  there  is  much 
business  to  be  attended  to  that  both  he  and  she  have 
been  in  the  habit  of  intrusting  to  Mr.  Truscott  when 
the  captain  had  to  be  absent.  Were  Mr.  Truscott  not 
able  to  attend  to  these  matters  for  her  she  would  cer 
tainly  expect  to  know  why,  and  on  her  account  at  least, 
and  to  put  an  end  to  a  scandalous  story,  we  are  here 
to-day. 

"  You  and  Captain  Canker  saw  Mr.  Truscott  issuing 
from  Mrs.  Tanner's  house  towards  one  o'clock  in  the 
morning  the  night  of  the  14th-15th,  and  believed  it  to 
have  been — or  rather  attached  an  improper  motive  to  his 
being  there.  Whether  you  are  aware  of  the  fact  or  not, 
Mr.  Truscott  has  for  eight  years  past  been  the  most 
trusted  and  intimate  friend  the  Tanners  had,  and  these 
relations  existed  long  before  you  joined  the  regiment  as 
its  colonel.  Captain  Tanner  was  ordered  off  on  this 
last  scout  at  a  most  inopportune  time.  He  left  the  post 
just  at  the  day  and  hour  when  five  years  before  he  had 
lost  his  first-born  child  in  Kansas.  It  was  very  hard 
for  him,  it  was  desperately  hard  for  her,  and  in  the 
thought  of  her  suffering  it  seems  he  forgot  some  im 
portant  items  of  business.  Two  days  out  he  wrote  au 
urgent  message  to  Truscott  to  have  copies  made  of  cer 
tain  papers  and  get  them  off  to  his  attorney's  in  San 
.Francisco  as  quick  as  possible.  The  letter  reached 
Truscott  after  taps  on  the  night  of  the  14th,  the  mail 
was  to  leave  for  Prescott  the  morning  of  the  15th.  No 
time  was  to  be  lost.  He  went  right  to  Tanner's  quar 
ters,  as  he  had  done  dozens  of  times  before,  got  the 
papers,  and  by  dint  of  two  hours'  hard  work  had  more 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  375 

than  half  finished  the  copies  when  your  voice  and  Can 
ker's  and  the  mention  of  his  name  attracted  him.  He 
went  out  at  once,  was  sent  on  this  message  after  the 
command,  and  Mrs.  Tanner  finished  the  copying  and 
got  the  papers  off,  If  Truscott  was  guilty  for  being 
there  at  one  o'clock,  I'm  guiltier,  for  I  was  there  at 
two.  I  saw  her  light  in  there  as  I  was  coming  back 
from  the  hospital,  where  I  had  been  called  to  see  a  sick 
man,  and,  fearing  she  was  ill  again,  I  went  in  at  once, 
and  she  was  just  putting  into  envelopes  the  result  of 
her  work  and  his.  There  are  the  receipts  for  the  regis 
tered  package  in  which  they  went.  Here  is  Captain 
Tanner's  letter  requesting  Truscott  to  attend  to  this 
work  for  him,"  and  he  held  forth  the  sheet. 

Pel  ham  took  it.  Drops  of  sweat  were  standing  on 
his  brow.  He  drew  his  hand  across  his  eyes,  but  the 
hand  that  held  the  paper  trembled  so  that  he  could  not 
read.  He  flattened  the  paper  out  upon  his  desk  and 
tried  again,  and  the  words  danced  before  his  eyes.  Yet 
he  saw  enough  to  convince — he  had  heard  more  than 
enough  to  convince  him,  and  the  lump  that  rose  in  his 
throat  wellnigh  choked  him. 

"  Should  you  need  further  proof  I  will  send  for  Mr. 
Ray,  for  Tanner  told  him  infinitely  more  than  I  have 
told  you,  sir.  If  not,  we  will  go  to  the  next  point,  of 
the  actual  allegations  against  Mr.  Truscott.  An  officer 
reports  having  seen  him  take  Mrs.  Tanner  in  his  arms 
out  on  the  bluff  just  at  first  call  for  tattoo  the  night 
the  command  marched  away.  The  officer  says  he  only 
had  a  hasty  glance,  as  his  companion  at  once  led  him 
away.  The  story  is  true.  Mr.  Truscott  did  take  her 
in  his  arms.  If  he  hadn't,  she'd  have  fallen  down  the 


376  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

hill -side.  He  carried  her  home  in  his  arms,  and  but 
for  him  she  wouldn't  have  got  there.  She  was  in  a 
dead  faint  when  I  reached  her  just  as  tattoo  was  sound 
ing.  She  had  begged  him  to  come  for  her  and  take 
her  out  there  to  see  the  last  of  them  as  they  forded  the 
stream  below  the  post,  and  just  as  they  were  heard  en 
tering  the  ford  the  first  call  for  tattoo  sounded,  and 
just  five  years  before  at  the  same  call  her  baby  had 
been  taken  from  her  as  now  her  husband  is  taken 
and " 

"  Doctor,  if  you  knew  all  this  before,  why,  in  God's 
name,  did  you  let  me  wrong  this  little  woman  by  im 
plication  even?  You  could  have  stopped  it  all.  Half 
what  you  have  told  me  here  would  have  held  my  hand." 
And  poor  Pelhani  had  sprung  to  his  feet,  and  abso 
lutely  wringing  his  hands,  was  tramping  up  and  down 
the  floor. 

"  I  did  not  even  know  that  any  one  entertained  such 
unjust  suspicions  until  you  had  placed  the  matter  in 
Captain  Canker's  hands ;  but  there  is  another  matter, — 
Mrs.  Treadwell's  letter." 

"  Not  a  word  more.  I  want  no  explanation.  I  want 
nothing  further.  Why  has  Truscott  suppressed  this? 
Why  has  he  allowed  me  to  suspect  her,  if  he  carec! 
nothing  for  himself?  Turner,  you  know  Truscott, 
how  do  you  account  for  it?"  And  absolute  misery  was 
stamped  on  the  flushed  and  honest  face  of  the  old 
soldier  as  he  asked. 

"  Colonel,  I  hate  to  answer  that,  but  you  ask  me  and 
shall  have  an  answer.  Truscott  had  every  right  to 
expect  you  to  use  no  middle-man  in  such  a  matter,  but 
to  bring  the  whole  thing  yourself  to  his  notice.  In 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  377 

refusing  to  say  a  word  after  you  had  permitted  Canker 
to  demand  his  resignation,  he  did  just  what  I  would 
have  done,  or  any  man  of  spirit.  Indeed,  it  is  only  on 
her  account  that  he  permits  the  explanation  to  be  made 
now." 

Then  followed  a  long  and  earnest  consultation,  and 
at  lunch-time,  the  officers  gathering  in  the  mess-room 
looked  significantly  at  one  another  as  Turner,  Bucketts, 
and  the  doctor  walked  away,  and  Captain  Canker  was 
seen  approaching  the  colonel's  office.  That  evening  be 
fore  retreat  it  had  leaked  out  among  the  ladies,  and  was 
told  around  the  garrison,  that  Mr.  Truscott  had  been 
informed  that  if  he  would  apologize  to  Captain  Canker 
in  the  presence  of  his  commanding  officer  and  certain 
others  the  charges  now  pending  against  him  would  be 
withdrawn,  and  that  Mr.  Truscott  had  flatly  refused  to 
do  anything  of  the  kind. 

Certain  it  is  that  there  was  some  unexplained  cheer 
ing  and  commotion  among  the  men  as  they  broke  ranks 
after  stables,  and  that  the  men  in  Mr.  Ray's  troop  were 
seen  vehemently  shaking  hands  with  those  in  Tanner's 
old  command. 

Truscott  did  not  come  to  dinner,  and  in  his  absence 
there  was  no  restraint  on  the  tongues.  Mr.  Ray  had 
the  floor,  and  Mr.  Ray  had  evidently  been  drinking 
more  than  was  prudent,  but  he  was  lively  as  a  cricket 
and  all  ablaze  with  enthusiasm. 

"  Apology  be  d — d !  Of  course  he  wouldn't  apolo 
gize.  What's  Jack  got  to  apologize  for,  I'd  like  to 
know  ?  Because  he  put  a  head  on  a  sneaking  cur  who 
insulted  him  outrageously  and  the  sweetest  woman  in 
the  regiment  at  the  same  time,  God  bless  her !  as  Ho 

32* 


378  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

hasn't  particularly,  but  ought  to  all  the  same.  Of  course 
he  wouldn't  apologize,  and  that  man  Canker's  a  bigger 
ignoramus  than  I  supposed  to  expect  such  a  thing. 
Why,  d — n  it,  there's  no  such  thing  as  an  apology  for 
a  blow.  Any  babe  in  arms  knows  that  in  Kentucky, 
or  any  place  where  people  live  like  Christians.  You 
oan't  apologize  unless  you  retract.  You  can  retract  an 
affront,  you  can  take  back  abuse,  you  can  swallow  your 
own  words,  if  you're  in  the  wrong,  but  all  the  saints  in 
heaven  can't  take  back  a  blow.  There's  nothing  for 
that  but  fight,  if  the  other  man  has  any  fight  left  in 
him,  and  may  the  Lord  forgive  me  if  I  ever  thought 
to  hear  any  other  doctrine  preached  in  a  cavalry  regi 
ment  !" 

And  thus  expounded  this  verbose  and  excitable  young 
disciple  of  the  code  to  his  hearers,  and  carried  conviction 
with  him. 

"  No,  gentlemen,"  he  continued,  "  if  Captain  Canker 
wants  satisfaction  he  can  get  it,  and  lots  of  it,  and  it's 
his  business  or  his  friends  to  attend  to  that  speedily  if 
they  propose  attending  to  it  at  all ;  but  if  they  don't  want 
any  more  fight,  if  they're  perfectly  satisfied  with  getting 
squarely  knocked  out  of  time,  why,  we  are :  but  don't 
talk  apology  to  Truscott  unless  somebody  else  wants  to 
get  floored.  Mark  my  words,  if  Captain  Canker  has 
any  decency  left  in  him  he'll  apologize  on  his  own  ac 
count,  and  I  know  two  or  three  other  gentlemen  that 
would  vastly  improve  their  own  status  by  apologizing 
themselves." 

Whereat  Messrs.  Hunter  and  Glenham  looked  very 
red  and  uneasy,  but  spoke  not. 

A  wretched  Christmas  it  was  to  everybody  when  it 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  379 

came  around,  bright,  clear,  and  sparkling.  The  men 
had  their  elaborate  dinner,  except  in  Tanner's  troop, 
where,  by  vote  of  their  own,  the  soldiers  decided  to 
have  no  festivity  whatever,  but  they  went  in  a  body  to 
the  grave  and  decorated  it  with  fresh  pine-boughs  and 
such  rude  ornaments  as  they  could  prepare.  Colonel 
and  Mrs.  Pelham  had  intended  giving  a  dinner  to  the 
bachelor  officers  of  the  garrison,  some  of  them  at  least, 
but  her  ladyship  gave  out  some  days  beforehand,  and, 
if  she  had  not,  the  battle  royal  which  took  place  'twixt 
her  and  her  liege  lord  Christmas-eve  would  have  in 
capacitated  one  or  both  for  any  enjoyment  of  the  festi 
val.  There  is  no  use  in  picturing  that  affair.  It  oc 
curred  after  his  interview  with  his  officers  and  the 
complete  establishment  in  his  mind  of  Truscott's  inno 
cence,  and,  of  course,  of  Mrs.  Tanner's.  Grace,  fortu 
nately,  heard  nothing  of  it.  She  had  gone  in  to  inquire 
after  Mrs.  Tanner,  whom  she  found  was  sleeping  quite 
naturally,  and  Mrs.  Wilkins  stole  down-stairs  and 
begged  her  to  stay  a  while.  And  they,  a  strangely- 
assorted  pair,  had  a  long  talk  which  was  the  stepping- 
stone  to  a  better  understanding  between  them,  for  Mrs. 
Wilkins  was  "coming  out"  in  a  light  totally  unex 
pected.  But  when  Grace  returned  home  she  found 
that  her  mother  had  retired  to  her  own  room  and  was 
suffering  from  one  of  her  wretched  headaches,  and 
during  the  entire  day  which  followed  madame  saw  lit 
not  to  emerge. 

Glenham  of  course  came  in  to  spend  Christmas -eve, 
and  was  manifestly  ill  at  ease.  So  also  came  one  or  two 
of  the  younger  ladies,  and  as  a  consequence  it  was  not 
very  long  before  the  subject  of  Mr.  Truscott's  arrest 


380  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

was  alluded  to.  The  colonel  had  shut  himself  up  in 
his  den,  and  the  coast  was  clear,  thought  these  searchers 
after  information.  It  was  the  current  belief  that  Grace 
was  so  completely  in  her  father's  confidence  that  he  had 
no  hesitation  in  telling  her  all  about  the  affairs  of  the 
garrison.  "  It  must  be  delicious,"  said  Miss  Blanche, 
u  to  know  just  exactly  all  about  these  fellows."  And 
finding  in  the  few  conversations  she  had  enjoyed 
with  Grace  that  that  young  lady  was  by  no  means  con 
fidential,  she  hit  on  the  bold  stroke  of  broaching  the 
subject  publicly,  for  Miss  Pelham  would  hardly 
"  snub"  her  under  such  circumstances. 

"  Isn't  it  dreadful  to  think  of  Mr.  Truscott's  being 
arrested  just  at  this  time?"  she  said,  looking  pointedly 
at  Grace,  yet  addressing  the  remark  to  nobody  in  par 
ticular. 

Finding  that  she  was  expected  to  reply,  Miss  Pel- 
ham  calmly  answered  that  it  certainly  was,  and  instantly 
changed  the  subject ;  but  the  other  damsel  was  not  to 
be  rebuffed :  she  returned  to  the  charge. 

"  Do  you  know,  I  think  it's  just  splendid  in  him  not 
to  apologize.  Of  course  I  don't  know  what  Captain 
Canker  could  have  said  to  make  him  so  angry."  (Which 
was  remarkable,  considering  the  amount  of  information 
imparted  in  her  letter  to  her  friend  at  Fresco tt.)  "  Now 
they'll  have  to  court-martial  him,  won't  they?  You 
know  (appeal ingly)  I  haven't  the  faintest  idea  how 
such  things  are  governed  in  the  army." 

Grace  colored  vividly. 

"  It  is  a  matter  that  I  really  know  nothing  about," 
she  replied,  with  grave  courtesy.  And  Glenham,  who 
had  been  nervously  tossing  over  some  music  on  the 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  381 

piano,  came  forward  and  begged  her  to  sing.  Whereat 
everybody  else  said,  "  Oh,  do !"  And  as  a  means  of 
putting  an  end  to  all  such  questioning  she  acceded, 
singing  soft,  low,  sad  music,  and  pleading  inability  to 
attempt  the  livelier  and  more  difficult  selections  they 
would  have  been  glad  to  extort  from  her.  But  when 
all  were  gone,  she  stole  to  her  father's  lonely  den,  find 
ing  him  drearily  pretending  to  read.  Worn  and  har 
assed  he  certainly  looked;  and  she  twined  her  arm 
around  his  neck  and  kissed  him  tenderly. 

"  What  is  it,  papa  ?"  she  asked,  relapsing  into  the 
pet  name  of  her  girlhood.  "  You  look  so  worried.  Is 
it  anything  you  can  tell  me  ?" 

He  looked  lovingly  into  her  sweet,  serious  face.  Then 
bowed  his  head. 

"  My  darling,  I  fear  that  I  have  made  a  fearful  mis 
take,  and  I  know  that  I've  done  a  grave  injustice  to 
one  of  my  best  officers." 

She  knew  well  who  was  meant,  but — wanted  to  be 
told. 

"Who,  father?" 

«  Mr.  Truscott." 

There  was  a  moment's  silence,  and  her  heart  was 
beating  wildly. 

"This  affair  with — with  Captain  Canker,  do  you 
mean  ?"  she  asked. 

"Something  far  more  serious.  I  cannot  tell  you, 
dear.  But  he  is  utterly  and  entirely  innocent ;  more 
than  that,  he  is  even  a  truer  and  nobler  friend  and 
gentleman  than  even  I  supposed,  and  I  had  been  led  to 
deeply  wrong  him." 

Poor  Grace!      In  bitter  distress  she  crept  to  her 


382  THE   COLONELS  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

room  that  night.  Only  on  two  occasions  had  she  seen 
Truscott  since  his  return  from  the  scout.  Onoe  mingling 
his  tears  with  little  Rosalie,  once  kneeling  by  the  life 
less  form  of  his  old  friend  and  comrade.  On  the  first 
occasion  he  did  not  see,  on  the  second  he  would  not  see 
her.  And  she,  despite  the  jealous  doubts  that  had 
possessed  her,  despite  her  now  detested  engagement  to 
Arthur  Glenham,  would  have  given  worlds  to  recall 
her  action  and  implore  his  forgiveness.  But  what 
could  she  do  ? 

And  now  her  father  had  virtually  told  her  that  all 
the  accusations  brought  by  Mrs.  Pelham  against  Trus- 
cott  were  utterly  unfounded.  Even  what  she  saw  must 
have  had  some  explanation,  and  she  had  not  a  friend  to 
whom  she  could  turn  and  seek  the  truth.  She  knew 
only  too  well  now  that  it  was  useless  to  look  to  her 
mother  for  that.  There  was  no  merry  Christmas  this 
year  for  poor  Grace.  It  is  not  worth  while  to  picture 
her  perplexity  and  distress,  but  that  night  she  looked 
with  far  from  friendly  eyes  at  the  class-ring  Mr.  Glen- 
ham  had  begged  her  to  wear  in  acknowledgment  of 
their  engagement  until  the  beautiful  pledge  he  had 
ordered  from  San  Francisco  should  arrive.  Glenham 
was  inordinately  proud  of  that  ring.  With  all  its  mar 
tial  devices  and  heavy  setting,  he  had  selected  an  un 
usually  beautiful  and  expensive  stone  on  which  to  have 
engraved  the  motto  of  his  class,  and  West  Point  had 
seen  nothing  handsomer  in  that  line  for  years,  and 
young  women  who  were  fond  of  appearing  in  public 
with  the  class-rings  of  their  graduating  admirers  dis 
ported  upon  their  fingers  had  made  no  little  effort 
towards  inducing  Mr.  Glenham  to  proffer  his,  but  all 


WINNING  HIS  SPUJKS.  383 

to  no  purpose.  Feminine  fingers  had  never  been  en 
circled  by  it  one  instant  until  he  proudly,  humbly,  joy 
ously  placed  it  upon  hers,  where  it  needed  a  guard-ring 
to  keep  it  from  slipping  off;  and  this  night  she  gazed 
upon  its  splendor  with  absolute  aversion,  then  tore  it 
from  her  finger  and  hid  it  from  her  sight. 


THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 


CHAPTER  XXL 

THREE  days  more,  and  an  odd  change  had  come 
over  the  spirit  of  Camp  Sandy's  dreams.  In  the  first 
place,  all  the  ladies  in  the  garrison  had  been  to  call  at 
Mrs.  Tanner's,  if  only  to  leave  their  cards  with  "  kind 
inquiries."  Even  Mrs.  Pelham  had  to  go :  the  col 
onel  made  her.  In  the  second  place,  despite  the  fact 
that  "  he  would  not  apologize,"  Mr.  Truscott  was  re 
leased  from  arrest,  for  Captain  Canker  had  preferred 
no  charges.  One  after  another  the  officers  whom  he 
consulted  told  him  that  he  really  deserved  to  be  knocked 
down  for  his  language  and  manner  to  Truscott,  and  a& 
he  realized  what  a  passion  he  had  been  in,  and  began 
to  realize  what  he  had  said,  and  found  out  that  after 
all  he  had  been  hideously  unjust  in  his  suspicions,  and 
that  he  had  lost  the  friendship  of  every  man  in  the 
regiment  whose  friendship  was  worth  having  (even  the 
colonel  having  intimated  that  no  one  but  he  could  have 
been  so  preternaturally  awkward  and  outrageous  in  his 
language),  poor  Canker  found  himself  deserted  and 
forlorn.  At  first  he  raged  at  his  colonel.  It  was  all 
Pelham's  fault,  he  said.  Pelham  had  made  him  pull 
his  chestnuts  out  of  the  fire,  and  now  his  hands  were 
not  only  scarred  for  life,  but  the  colonel  had  "  gone 
back  on  him."  Unfortunately  for  Canker's  peace  of 
mind,  nobody  would  agree  with  him.  Everybody  knew 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  335 

that  he  had  been  directed  through  the  acting  adjutant 
to  say  not  a  word  further  to  Truscott  "  until  Tanner's 
return,"  and  everybody  knew  that  it  did  not  mean 
"  dead  or  alive"  in  Tanner's  case.  A  great  revulsion 
of  feeling  had  set  in  as  the  news  of  the  doctor's  reve 
lation  to  the  colonel,  which  was  not  so  much  of  a  reve 
lation  anyhow,  was  circulated.  Even  the  men  who 
would  have,  possibly  had,  urged  Canker  to  his  most 
unfortunate  step,  now  found  it  expedient  to  forget  that 
they  ever  thought  Truscott  anything  but  the  most  per 
fect  gentleman  in  the  regiment,  and  Canker,  being  left 
without  friends,  true  to  human  nature  they  who  had 
started  him  down-hill  lent  occasional  kicks  to  keep  him 
going.  With  public  sentiment  dead  against  him,  with 
the  certainty  that  he  would  be  awfully  scorched  should 
the  case  ever  come  to  trial,  Captain  Canker  notified  the 
colonel  that  under  all  the  circumstances  he  had  decided 
to  prefer  no  charges,  and  immediately  applied  for  leave 
of  absence,  went  up  to  Prescott,  whence  he  speedily 
telegraphed  to  Mrs.  Canker  to  have  everything  packed 
up  at  once  and  turned  over  to  the  quartermaster,  the 
general  having  assured  him  that  he  should  have  six- 
months'  leave.  To  the  infinite  disgust  of  Mr.  Ray, 
Captain  Canker  left  the  Territory  without  either  an 
apology  or  a  fight. 

Three  days  after  Christmas,  Major  Bucketts  notified 
Mr.  Truscott  that  he  was  released  from  arrest,  and  that 
the  colonel  desired  to  see  him.  In  the  interview  that 
ensued,  Pelham,  in  deep  embarrassment  and  with  many 
a  painful  stumble,  strove  to  explain  to  his  silent  junior 
how  he  had  been  torn  and  twisted  and  warped  in  his 
judgment,  and  had  allowed  himself  to  be  utterly  mis- 

R  2  33 


386  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

led.  He  strove  to  do  this  without  in  any  way  men 
tioning  his  wife's  connection  with  the  matter,  but  it 
was  useless.  Truscott  sat  a  patient  but  utterly  im 
passive  listener.  He  could  forgive  where  the  wrong 
had  involved  only  him,  but  he  was  thinking  of  her. 
He  could  not  aid  the  colonel  by  the  suggestion  of  a 
single  word,  and  at  last  the  old  gentleman  in  despera 
tion  rose  and  clasped  his  head  in  his  hands. 

"  Truscott,  try  and  forget  this  for  old  times7  sake,  for 
what  you  know  I  was  before  this- — these  women  drove 
me  out  of  my  wits."  And  the  two  had  shaken  hands, 
but  the  colonel  saw  plainly  that  there  was  no  such  thing 
as  bridging  the  gulf  that  stood  between  them.  Truscott 
was  perfectly  gentle  and  courteous,  full  of  respect,  and 
evidently  strove  after  that  outburst  to  be  cordial  to  his 
old  friend  and  commander,  but  the  colonel  plainly  saw 
the  effort,  plainly  saw  that  Truscott  had  aged  greatly  in 
the  brief  month  that  had  passed,  and  that  the  old  faith 
and  confidence  was  gone. 

But  he  had  still  what  he  conceived  another  duty 
to  perform.  "  Your  resignation  was  tendered  under  a 
grievous  misapprehension,  and  was  accepted  under  an 
other.  I  want  you  to  return  to  your  position  at  once, 
and  would  like  to  issue  the  order  before  to-morrow 
morning." 

And  Truscott  slowly  and  gravely  replied, — 

"  Colonel,  it  is  impossible.     I  cannot  do  it." 

"  You  will  force  me  to  believe  that  you  cannot  or 
will  not  accept  the  only  amend  in  my  power  to  offer/ 
said  the  colonel. 

And  Truscott  strove  to  satisfy  him. 

"  Do  not  think  that,  colonel.    Believe  me  that  I  fully 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  387 

appreciate  the  confidence  you  show  in  me  and  the  thor 
ough  amends  you  have  made,  but  before  this  interview 
T  had  committed  myself  to  another  arrangement  and 
accepted  another  detail." 

"  Is  it  one  that  cannot  be  recalled,  Truscott  ?"  the 
colonel  asked,  gravely. 

"It  might  be,  sir,"  said  Jack,  coloring  painfully; 
"  but  I  beg  you  not  to  press  for  further  reasons.  It  is 
best  in  every  way  that  I  should  not  serve  upon  your 
staff."  And  Pelham  saw  that  the  matter  was  settled 
once  and  for  all,  and  at  reveille  on  the  following  morn 
ing  Lieutenant  Truscott  took  command  of  Company 
"  C,"  vacated  by  the  death  of  Captain  Tanner. 

Of  that  interview  with  his  colonel  Truscott  never 
spoke  until  long  afterwards.  How,  then,  did  it  happen 
that  it  was  soon  known  throughout  the  Department  of 
Arizona  that  in  releasing  him  from  arrest  the  colonel 
had  again  tendered  the  adjutancy  to  him?  Their  con 
versation  took  place  in  the  office.  Major  Bucketts  had 
withdrawn,  the  sergeant-major  and  the  clerks  were  at 
supper,  not  a  soul  was  present  other  than  the  two  officers, 
and  the  colonel  would  hardly  be  apt,  as  colonels  go,  to 
announce  that  a  position  on  his  staff  had  been  declined. 

But  the  adjutancy  had  to  be  filled.  Major  Bucketts 
could  not  do  it ;  he  was  too  stiff,  old,  and  clumsy,  as  he 
very  frankly  said,  to  fill  such  a  position.  Six  of  the 
thirteen  first  lieutenants  of  the  regiment  were  on  staff 
or  detached  duty  in  the  East,  and  Pelham  swore  that 
only  men  who  served  with  the  regiment  in  the  field 
should  hold  its  positions  of  honor  under  him.  Crane 
and  Wilkins  were  utterly  unsuitable.  There  were  very 
valid  objections  to  two  other  first  lieutenants  serving  in 


388  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER-,    OR, 

the  southern  part  of  the  Territory.  Mr.  Ray,  there 
fore,  was  the  only  one  left,  unless  the  colonel  went 
down  among  the  second  lieutenants,  which,  said  he  on 
one  occasion,  is  equivalent  to  saying  that  none  of  the 
first  lieutenants  are  fit  for  the  position.  Why  would 
not  Ray  do  ?  And  for  two  days  the  captains  and  offi 
cers  generally  decided  that  Ray  was  to  be  the  coming 
man.  He  was  a  splendid  little  soldier  in  the  field  all 
admitted,  and  had  a  great  deal  of  snap  and  energy  in 
handling  his  troop  on  drill,  but  he  despised  "  paper 
work/7  hated  "  red  tape,"  could  not  bear  office  duty  of 
any  kind,  and  withal  was  so  hot-headed  and  impetuous 
that  he  would  be  sure  to  get  into  snarls  with  the  com 
pany  commanders  in  less  than  no  time.  Then  he  was 
utterly  devil-may-care  and  reckless  as  to  what  people 
might  think  of  his  doings  and  sayings.  He  would 
drink  when  he  felt  like  it,  and  did  gamble,  not  infre 
quently  to  the  neglect  of  his  garrison  duties.  He  could 
not  write  a  letter  without  the  aid  of  a  dictionary,  and 
shunned  correspondence  of  any  kind  as  scrupulously  as 
he  did  the  catechism,  but  for  all  this,  in  spite  of  all 
this,  the  colonel  liked  him  well.  He  was  as  true  as 
steel,  faithful  in  friendship,  loyal  in  his  likes  and  dis 
likes,  and  an  out-and-out  cavalryman.  "  A  man,"  as 
the  colonel  had  very  truly  said,  "  of  whom  the  regiment 
is  proud."  And  just  so  soon  as  he  had  satisfied  him 
self  that  Truscott  would  not  return  to  his  old  position 
he  turned "  to  Ray,  and  Ray  very  respectfully  but  posi 
tively  declined  it. 

This  was  a  facer.  "  Has  it  come  to  this,  by  thunder !" 
said  the  colonel  to  himself,  "  that  my  officers  absolutely 
refuse  to  serve  on  my  staff?" 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  389 

"  You.  doubtless  have  your  reasons,  Mr.  Kay/'  said 
the  colonel,  "  and  you  must  be  aware  that  an  offer  of 
the  adjutancy  of  a  regiment  like  this  is  not  a  thing  to 
be  treated  lightly.  I  think  that  I  am  entitled  to  hear 
your  reasons,  sir." 

Ray  hesitated  and  looked  perturbed.  He  had  a  way 
of  throwing  his  head  back  and  wagging  it  more  or  less 
when  he  had  anything  to  say  that  was  disagreeable  to 
him,  or  was  difficult  to  frame  in  diplomatic  speech. 
After  a  moment's  demur  the  head  went  back  and  the 
answer  came,  and  he  looked  straight  in  the  colonel's 
eye. 

"It's  just  this,  Colonel  Pelham,  I'm  too  careless  to 
fill  the  position ;  I've  no  head  for  that  sort  of  work.  I 
can't  tend  to  letters  and  such — and — well,  sir,  I  drink 
too  much  anyhow." 

"Admitting  all  that,  Hay,"  said  the  colonel,  very 
kindly,  "  and  mind  you  I  do  not  admit  all  of  it,  if  I 
choose  to  take  the  responsibility  and,  despite  your  frank 
statement  of  what  you  consider  your  disqualifications, 
see  fit  to  renew  the  offer,  I  think  it  your  place  to  accept 
— unless  you  have  grave  additional  reasons." 

"  Well,  then,  colonel,  I  have." 

"And  they  are  what?" 

Again  Ray  hesitated. 

"  It  is  my  right  to  know,  I  think,"  said  Pelham. 

"  Very  well,  sir."  And  now  the  head  was  wagging 
in  earnest.  "  In  my  opinion  an  adjutant  should  be  an 
officer  whom  his  colonel  could  trust  before  all  others  in 
his  regiment.  He  has  got  to  be  thrown  into  constant 
intercourse  with  the  colonel's  family  and  should  be  on 
cordial  terms  with  them ;  and — and  if  such  a  gentle- 

33* 


390  TIIE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

man  as  Mr.  Truscott  could  not  be  satisfactory  to  Mrs. 
Pelham,  why,  the  Lord  knows  I  couldn't." 

And  Colonel  Pel  ham,  reddening  painfully,  pressed 
for  no  further  reason.  He  was  indignant  at  Mr.  Kay 
for  assigning  such  a  cause,  yet  he  knew  well  down  in 
the  depths  of  his  heart  that  but  for  that  very  cause 
Jack  Truscott  would  not  be  as  he  was — estranged.  Ray 
was  permitted  to  withdraw,  and  the  colonel,  with 
gloomy  brow,  went  home  to  lunch.  Grace  was  absent ; 
had  gone  over  to  Mrs.  Tanner's  again,  said  her  lady 
ship  ;  and  she  wished  that  Grace  would  keep  away  from 
there,  she  was  getting  altogether  too  intimate  with  that 
horrid  Mrs.  Wilkins;  then  again,  said  madame,  she 
always  manages  to  be  there  now,  "  playing  with  Eosa- 
lie,"  she  says,  when  Mr.  Glenham  comes  here  to  see 
her,  and  plainly  he  does  not  like  it. 

"  If  he  doesn't  like  it,  Mrs.  Pelham,  let  him  leave 
it,"  said  the  colonel,  very  bluntly.  "She  cannot  do 
too  much  now  to  undo  .the  mischief  you  have  played 
where  Mrs.  Tanner  and — others  are  concerned.  And 
as  for  this  engagement  to  Mr.  Glenham,  I'm  not  half 
satisfied  that  it  isn't  a  source  of  distress  instead  of  joy 
to  her.  She's  been  looking  worse  and  worse  every  day." 

This  was  altogether  too  delicious  a  conversation  for 
Maggie  the  housemaid  to  leave  unheard.  Well  she 
knew  that  presently  her  ladyship  would  lose  her  temper 
entirely,  and  then  there  would  be  revelations ;  so  on  one 
pretext  or  another  she  kept  bustling  in  and  out  of  the 
lunch-room,  and  sure  enough  the  explosion  came. 

"  Know  it !"  the  colonel  was  wrathfully  saying. 
"Know  it!  by  the  eternal,  madame,  how  can  I  help 
know  it  when  the  two  best  officers  in  my  regiment 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  39] 

decline  the  adjutancy,  and  one  of  them  plainly  tells  mr 
that  your  infernal  behavior  is  the  reason  ?" 

"  Leave  the  room,  Maggie !"  her  ladyship  had 
Hhrieked  before  bursting  into  the  flood  of  weeping  and 
lamentation  to  be  expected  after  such  an  accusation ; 
and  Maggie  left,  and  took  with  her  the  story,  "  infernal" 
and  all,  to  Bridget  next  door,  who  duly  transmitted  it 
along  the  row,  so  that  by  dinner-time  it  was  coming 
back  along  the  piazzas  and  parlors.  Oh,  those  were 
joyous  days  at  Sandy ! 

Since  their  return,  neither  Truscott  nor  Ray  had 
called  at  the  colonel's.  One,  because  of  his  arrest, 
itself  an  all-sufficient  reason,  though  he  had  others  quite 
as  cogent.  The  other,  out  of  sheer  disgust  at  the  thought 
of  his  dinner  there.  He  had  not  even  paid  the  conven 
tional  dinner-call,  and  on  the  few  occasions  when  he 
met  Miss  Pelham  she  was  with  Mr.  Glenham  or  some 
lady  friends,  and  he  had  confined  his  remarks  to  a  few 
awkward  platitudes.  He  had  never  once  congratulated 
her  on  her  engagement,  and  to  Truscott  he  made  no 
allusion  to  it  whatever,  yet  time  and  again  it  was  in  his 
thoughts,  and  so  was  that  blood-stained  handkerchief 
he  had  taken  from  Truscott's  breast.  How  came  it 
there  ?  thought  Ray,  and  what  did  that  portend  ?  It 
was  a  new  perplexity,  and  not  a  particularly  pleasant 
one. 

And  now  Glenham  and  Hunter  had  been  to  see 
Truscott,  and  presumably  had  "  explained."  Certainly 
they  had  apologized  for  anything  they  might  have  said 
or  done  to  wound  him  in  the  least,  for  they  openly  an- 
n  -mnced  the  fact  at  the  mess,  as  though  for  Ray's  in 
formation.  Truscott  was  very  civil  to  both,  and  there 


392  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR 

was  a  faint  resumption  of  his  old  kindly  manner  tc 
Glenham,  but  very  faint,  and  he  did  not  invite  him  to 
return  to  his  roof.  The  holidays  were  gloomy  in  the 
last  degree.  Mirth  and  music  and  theatricals  and  fun 
went  on  at  Prescott,  and  thither  went  the  young  lady 
visitors  when  Captain  Canker's  ambulance  drove  up 
with  him,  but  the  general's  wife,  who  had  invited 
Grace  to  spend  the  holidays  with  her,  or  at  least  ex 
pressed  a  wish  that  she  should  do  so  when  they  parted, 
was  dumb  thereafter.  She  had  absolutely  made  no 
reply  to  the  rather  gushing  note  in  which  Lady  Pel- 
ham  had  announced  her  precious  daughter's  engage 
ment  to  Mr.  Glenham,  but  she  had  written  to  Jack 
Truscott,  for  Glenham  saw  the  letter  when  the  mail 
was  opened,  and  very  dutifully  told  her  ladyship 
thereof. 

And  now  Mrs.  Tanner  was  beginning  to  sit  up  a  few 
hours  each  day,  and  Dr.  Harper  had  gone  back  to 
his  duties  at  Fort  Whipple.  Both  he  and  his  able 
coadjutor  at  Sandy  had  been  unremitting  in  their  at 
tention,  and  Mrs.  Wilkins  had  been  simply  a  wonder. 
Leaving  her  own  sturdy  brood  to  the  care  of  her 
weaker  half  and  the  maid-of-all-work  (who  was  like 
wise  the  cook),  this  energetic  lady  spent  her  days  and 
nights  in  close  attendance  on  the  gentle  sufferer,  and 
whether  it  was  from  such  incessant  association  with 
that  pure,  patient  soui,  or  from  remorse  at  having,  if 
only  to  a  very  slight  extent,  lent  herself  to  the  circula 
tion  of  the  story  at  Mrs.  Tanner's  expense,  certain  it 
is  that  her  rugged  and  intractable  nature  was  vastly 
softened  and  subdued.  She  would  flare  up  and  wax 
furious  or  else  stony  when  Mrs.  Pelham  made  her  occa- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  393 

sional  calls  to  inquire  after  Mrs.  Tanner,  and  to  make 
sanctimonious  or  patronizingly  sympathetic  remarks. 
Mrs.  Wilkins  could  see  no  good  whatever  in  Mrs. 
Pelham,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that  those  who  shared 
her  opinions  were  in  the  majority,  and  very  stiif  and 
formal  and  "  it's-all-your-fault-anyhow"  was  her  man 
ner  towards  that  self-satisfied  lady  when  she  came.  As 
for  Mrs.  Pelham,  it  may  be  briefly  said  that,  having 
accomplished  her  object  in  seeing  Grace  plighted  to 
Glenham,  she  was  quite  ready  to  be  magnanimous  to 
those  whom  she  had  trodden  under  foot  in  her  struggles 
to  effect  that  end.  She  was  quite  willing  to  admit,  she 
said,  that  Mrs.  Treadwell  was  totally  mistaken,  and 
that  "  we  had  all  been  too  censorious"  where  Mrs.  Tan 
ner  was  concerned.  Indeed,  to  the  vast  indignation  of 
Mesdames  Raymond  and  Turner,  these  ladies  were 
virtually  given  to  understand  that  she,  Lady  Pelham, 
could  never,  never  have  believed  such  a  thing  of  so 
sweet  and  gentle  a  lady  had  it  not  been  for  their  posi 
tive  statements,  and  no»w  there  wasn't  a  woman  in  all 
the  garrison  except  the  two  whom  she  had  most  in 
jured  (Mrs.  Tanner  and  her  own  daughter  are  meant, 
not  you,  Mrs.  Raymond,)  who  did  not  hate  her  and 
talk  accordingly. 

Madame,  however,  had  long  since  convinced  herself 
that,  having  heard  all  she  had  heard,  it  was  her  duty 
as  a  mother  and  a  Christian  woman  to  come  down  upon 
the  offenders  forthwith,  and  that  because  others  had 
made  a  frightful  blunder  in  their  suspicions  was  no 
reason  why  she  had  in  her  acts.  In  making  frequent 
visits  at  Mrs.  Tanner's  and  sending  up  consoling  mes 
sages  to  that  lady  she  conceived  that  every  amend  that 


394  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

could  be  expected  was  being  made.  Why  her  husband 
should  therefore  continue  to  treat  her  with  cold  civility, 
why  Grace  should  avoid  her,  why  the  whole  garrison 
should  hold  aloof  as  though  she  were  afflicted  with 
some  moral  leprosy,  was  more  than  she  could  fathom. 
Glen  ham  was  her  only  consolation,  and  he,  poor  devil, 
was  constantly  at  her  beck  and  call.  She  "  Arthured" 
him  from  morning  till  night,  but  never  could  Grace  be 
induced  to  call  him  aught  but  Mr.  Glenham,  and  it 
soon  became  patent  to  all  beholders  that  while  he  but 
seldom  appeared  in  public  with,  or  was  believed  to  be 
blessed  by  the  society  of  Miss  Pel  ham,  he  was  at  all 
hours  dancing  attendance  upon  his  prospective  mother- 
in-law.  Lots  of  fun  they  had  over  it  at  the  mess, 
where  those  stiff  old  prigs,  as  they  were  laughingly 
dubbed  by  Mr.  Ray — Truscott  and  the  doctor — were 
the  only  ones  who  did  not  take  part  in  the  sly  witti 
cisms  at  Glenham's  expense, — in  his  absence,  of  course, 
for  his  position  was  too  seriously  unenviable  to  permit 
of  their  chaffing  him  to  his  face. 

"That  old  catamaran  will  disgust  him  yet,  if  she 
hasn't  already,"  burst  out  Mr.  Ray,  one  evening.  "  You 
hear  me  !"  he  added,  in  the  slang  of  the  day,  and  Trus 
cott  shot  his  friend  a  warning  glance.  He  hated  to 
hear  any  woman's  name  mentioned  in  that  or  any  mess- 
room. 

It  wanted  but  two  days  to  New  Year's.  Truscott 
had  been  busily  occupied  in  arranging  Tanner's  papers, 
working  most  of  the  time  at  his  own  quarters,  but  on 
two  occasions  he  was  in  Tanner's  library  when  madame 
called  to  make  her  inquiries ;  and  once,  one  bright  sun 
shiny  afternoon,  he  had  stepped  quietly  in  there,  for,  as 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  395 

lie  entered  the  house,  he  heard  Grace  Pelham's  sweet, 
low  laugh,  and  a  ringing  peal  from  Rosalie.  They 
were  playing  together  in  the  hall  above,  while  Mrs. 
"Wilkins  sat  by  Mrs.  Tanner  in  the  pretty  room  over 
the  piazza.  He  could  not  help  wondering  how  the  lit 
tle  one  could  so  soon  forget  her  misery  of  the  week 
before,  and  yet  he  was  thankful  to  hear  her  joyous 
laugh ;  thankful  that  Grace  Pelham  was  so  constantly 
with  her,  striving  to  entertain  the  lonely  little  body. 
As  yet  he  had  not  seen  Mrs.  Tanner,  but  every  few 
hours  he  could  learn  how  she  was  progressing,  and  had 
managed  to  get  some  few  humble  wild-flowers  to  send 
to  her  bedside,  and  Mrs.  Wilkins  brought  her  love  and 
thanks  and  inquiries  as  to  his  wound.  Just  how  deep, 
intense,  and  uncomplaining  was  the  suffering  of  that 
silent  little  woman  heaven  only  knew.  As  conscious 
ness  and  the  flutter  of  life  came  back  to  her  there  came 
with  it  the  blight  of  a  desolation  that  no  human  pen 
could  ever  picture.  She  lay  for  hours  speechless,  striv 
ing  patiently  to  obey  the  directions  of  her  physicians 
or  the  attendants  beside  her.  There  was  no  wailing, 
no  wild  raving,  no  upbraiding,  but  her  pillow  was  wet 
with  her  ceaseless  tears.  O  God  !  how  she  would  have 
thanked  Him  could  she  only  be  laid  there  by  the  side 
of  the  gallant,  gentle  husband  who  had  made  her  life 
one  dream  of  joy  and  unutterable  content !  But  there 
was  Rosalie.  There,  too,  was  the  baby,  now  a  boister 
ous  little  two-year-old,  full  of  vim,  and  exacting  in  the 
last  degree.  She  strained  them  to  her  bosom,  and 
prayed  for  strength  to  bear  her  cross.  With  such  sor 
row  as  hers  this  crabbed  and  ill-natured  chronicle  has 
naught  to  do. 


396  /rHE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

Twice  had  Grace  been  admitted  to  see  her  by  this 
time,  and  infinitely  sweet  and  tender  had  her  manner 
been.  "  Come  often,"  Mrs.  Tanner  had  murmured  to 
her,  as  she  returned  the  warm  pressure  of  the  slender- 
hand  that  lay  lingeringly  in  hers.  "  Rosalie  is  growing 
so  fond  of  you,  and  you  are  such  a  comfort." 

And  then,  as  Grace's  eyes  began  to  fill,  and  an  odd 
tremor  to  creep  about  the  corner  of  her  mouth,  the 
widow  twined  her  fragile  arm  about  her  neck,  and 
drew  the  pale,  wistful  face  down  to  hers.  Some  cynic 
speaks  of  the  Judas  kisses  women  interchange,  but  in 
that  caress  there  was  a  wealth  of  earnestness  that  would 
have  disarmed  the  criticism  of  a  Sterne.  Mrs.  Tanner 
wondered  at  the  warmth  of  that  embrace  and  kiss; 
wondered  more  at  the  agitation  with  which  Grace  sud 
denly  withdrew  herself  from  the  clasping  arm  and 
hurriedly  left  the  room. 

And  so  it  happened  that,  while  Truscott  was  silently 
at  work  on  Tanner's  old  desk  that  afternoon,  he  heard 
Mrs.  Wilkins's  voice  aloft. 

"I  have  to  run  over  home  a  few  minutes,  Miss 
Gracie.  Would  you  mind  sitting  by  Mrs.  Tanner  till 
I  come  back  ?  She'll  be  glad  to  have  you  and  Rosalie." 

Ten  minutes  after  light  footsteps  came  dancing  down 
the  stairs,  and  patting  along  the  hall  towards  the  library- 
door.  Jack  Truscott's  heart  stood  still.  There  was  no 
time  to  escape,  hardly  time  to  think.  The  next  instant 
the  door  flew  open,  and  the  woman  he  loved  stood  be 
fore  him.  It  was  their  first  meeting  alone  since  the 
day  of  his  avowal  nearly  three  weeks  agone,  and  from 
that  day  not  one  word  had  passed  between  them.  She 
was  in  the  room  before  she  caught  sight  of  him,  still 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  397 

seated  at  the  desk.  Crimson  flashed  to  the  roots  of 
her  hair.  Then  she  grew  as  pale  as  he. 

"  I — I  beg  your  pardon,"  she  faltered.  "  I  did  not 
know  any  one  was  here.  Fve  only  come  for  a  book  of 
Rosalie's." 

He  bowed  calmly,  gravely. 

'You  will  not  disturb  my  work  in  the  least,"  he 
answered ;  and  the  profound  would-be  dissembler  ruined 
the  copy  he  was  making  by  drawing  thereon  a  series 
of  pot-hooks  that  bore  no  resemblance  whatever  to  his 
ordinary  handwriting.  "  Disturb  his  work,"  indeed  ! 
His  heart  was  bounding  like  a  trip-hammer  with  all 
the  enforced  calm  on  his  features. 

She  stood  looking  hurriedly  along  the  shelves.  Then 
her  hand  was  extended  aloft  to  reach  the  book  she 
needed,  but  fell  short  full  six  inches. 

"  Let  me  help  you,"  he  said,  quickly  rising  and  step 
ping  to  her  side.  "  Which  book  is  it  ?" 

"  The  red  one, — there ;"  and  her  left  hand  touched 
with  its  finger-tips  the  shelf  on  which  it  lay,  and  in 
slender,  snowy  grace  stood  outlined  before  his  eyes. 
Where  was  Glenham's  ring  ? 

Silently  he  handed  her  the  book  and  resumed  his 
seat,  and  with  murmured  thanks  she  left  the  room. 

"  Who  was  there  ?"  asked  Mrs.  Tanner.  "  I  thought 
I  heard  you  speak." 

"  Mr.  Truscott,"  she  replied,  and  despite  every  effort 
the  color  sprang  again  to  her  face,  and  Mrs.  Tanner  saw 
it.  Grace  instantly  bent  over  Rosalie,  and  plunged 
into  a  highly  moral  and  instructive  article  descriptive 
of  the  time-honored  illustration  of  a  luridly-colored 
lion  in  the  meshes  of  an  exaggerated  fish-net,  the 

34 


398  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

mouse  swallowed  up  in  the  general  gorge  of  color  being 
somewhat  indistinguishable. 

Presently  stable-call  sounded,  and  Mr.  Truscott  was 
heard  to  stow  away  his  papers,  close  the  library-door, 
and  leave  the  house,  and  when  Dr.  Clayton  came  in 
soon  afterwards,  and  Mrs.  Tanner  expressed  a  wish  to 
see  her  old  friend,  if  it  could  be  permitted,  he  readily 
assented,  but  went  off  to  caution  Truscott  that  no  busi 
ness  wavS  to  be  talked  that  evening. 

Shortly  before  sunset,  therefore,  while  Grace  and 
Rosalie  were  still  playing  or  chatting  together  in  the 
adjoining  room,  Mrs.  Wilkins  ushered  Truscott  up  the 
stairs,  and,  bidding  him  enter,  discreetly  withdrew  to 
where  Grace  was  seated  on  the  floor,  a  picture  of  amaze 
and  embarrassment.  She  had  heard  nothing  of  the 
arrangement  or  she  would  have  scurried  home  long  ago, 
and  through  the  open  doorway  every  word  they  said 
was  distinctly  audible,  and  she  could  not  but  see  the 
sweet,  tearful  face  gazing  so  gratefully,  trustingly  up 
in  his,  but  his  back  was  towards  her.  She  strove  to 
resume  her  chatter  with  her  eager  little  friend,  but  her 
thoughts  wandered  uncontrollably. 

"  It's  a  blessing  you  are  to  that  little  one,  Grace  Pel- 
ham,"  said  Mrs.  Wilkins,  "  and  it's  a  blessing  he  is  to 
that  poor  little  woman,  hard  though  it  must  be  for  her 
to  see  him  at  first." 

For  a  few  moments  only  broken,  sobbing  words  came 
from  Mrs.  Tanner's  lips,  when  any  sound  came  at  all, 
but  gradually  the  tearful  accents  ceased,  and  her  voice, 
gentle  and  patient,  was  mingled  with  the  calm,  deep 
tones  of  his.  Painful,  sorrowing,  tender  as  that  first 
interview  must  have  been  to  both,  there  was  a  sweetness 


WINNING    HIS  SPURS  399 

in  the  very  sorrow.  At  last  she  called  Rosalie  to  oome 
and  see  Uncle  Jack,  and  the  child,  clinging  to  Grace's 
hand,  strove  to  draw  her  with  her. 

"Yes,  come  with  her,  Grace  dear,  cfo,"  said  Mrs. 
Tanner,  and  Grace  had  to  come  and  take  the  hand  the 
invalid  held  forth.  "  Jack,  I  don't  know  how  we  would 
have  got  along  without  Miss  Gracie.  She  has  been 
everything  to  'Rosalie,  and  an  infinite  comfort  to  me," 
she  continued,  as  she  drew  her  down  into  a  chair,  and 
Jack,  who  had  risen  and  courteously  bowed  on  her  en 
trance,  resumed  his  own  seat  near  the  foot  of  the  sofa- 
It  was  a  strange  meeting. 

Lying  there  upon  the  lounge,  the  newly -widowed  in 
valid  held  in  hers  Grace  Pelharn's  slender  hand,  and 
looking  bravely  up  in  the  pale  features  of  her  husband's 
chosen  friend,  listened  eagerly  to  his  recital  of  the  in 
cidents  of  the  last  scout  and  battles.  She  insisted  on 
hearing  them,  and  he  had  no  reason  to  give, — he  could 
not  but  obey.  At  last  she  asked  him, — 

"  But  are  you  not  imprudent  in  resuming  duty  so 
soon  ?  Are  you  sure  you  are  strong  enough  ?  I  never 
saw  you  look  so  pale  and  ill,  Jack." 

"I  am  doing  very  well,"  he  answered,  smiling 
gravely. 

"  And  yet  I  know  that  this  is  such  a  busy  time  in 
the  office,  and  with  all  your  adjutant's  work  I  ought 
not  to  let  you  touch  these  affairs  of  mine.  Surely  they 
can  wait " 

She  stopped  short.  Grace  Pelham's  hand,  lying  in 
hers,  had  given  an  unmistakable  quiver,  and,  looking 
at  her  in  surprise,  Mrs.  Tanner  saw  a  flush  of  deep  em 
barrassment  on  her  face.  Not  divining  its  cause,  she 


400  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

saw,  too,  that  Truscott  had  reddened,  and  then  the  first 
call  sounded  for  retreat.  He  rose,  and  promising  to 
see  her  on  the  following  day,  hurriedly  took  his  leave. 

"  It's  undress  parade  and  publication  of  orders,"  said 
Mrs.  Wilkins,  gazing  out  of  the  window.  And,  sure 
enough,  the  voices  of  the  troop  commanders  could  be 
heard  as  they  marched  out  to  the  general  parade  and 
formed  the  line ;  the  trumpets  rang  out  the  sunset  call ; 
the  window  shook  to  the  thunder  of  the  evening  gun. 

"  I've  so  often  lain  here  and  listened  to  Mr.  Truscott 
reading  the  orders,  every  word  was  so  distinct,"  said 
Mrs.  Tanner.  "  Let  us  hear  what  they  are  to-night.7' 
Whereat  Mrs.  Wilkins  suddenly  left  the  room,  and  all 
within  was  silence.  In  strained,  wondering  attention, 
Mrs.  Tanner  listened ;  the  hand  within  hers  was  trem 
bling  violently. 

"  Why,  Grace,  that  isn't  Mr.  Truscott's  voice.  You 
can't  understand  a  word  of  it,  and  yet  he  said  he  was 
on  duty.  What  does  it  mean  ?" 

And  for  all  answer  Grace  Pelham  burst  into  a  pas 
sion  of  tears,  buried  her  face  in  the  pillow  beside  that 
of  her  friend,  and  sobbed  as  though  her  heart  would 
break.  Another  moment  and  both  Mrs.  Tanner's 
arms  were  round  her;  had  drawn  her  head  upon 
her  own  gentle  bosom;  her  lips  pressed  kiss  after 
kiss  in  silent  sympathy  upon  the  sunshiny  glory  of 
the  beautiful  hair, — the  womanly  heart  had  read  her 
secret. 

No  wonder  that  when  Miss  Pelham  was  wanted  for 
dinner  that  evening  Miss  Pelham  sent  back  word  that 
she  had  decided  to  stay  and  take  tea  at  Mrs.  Tanner's, 
and  Mrs.  Pelham  had  again  to  explain  matters  as  best 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  401 

she  could  to  Mr.  Arthur  Glenham,  who  went  home 
despondent. 

Before  Jack  Truscott  came  to  see  her  on  the  follow 
ing  morning  Mrs.  Tanner  had  heard  from  Mrs.  Wil- 
kins's  lips  every  item  of  the  stories  and  events  that  had 
so  upset  the  social  serenity  of  Camp  Sandy  during  the 
past  month.  It  was  no  difficult  matter  to  learn  the 
whole  story.  It  had  been  bottled  up  in  Mrs.  Wilkins's 
brain  for  days,  fermenting,  seething, "  coming  to  a  head," 
as  it  were ;  and  when  at  last  Mrs.  Tanner  gravely  de 
manded  of  her  a  full  statement  of  Truscott's  loss  of  the 
adjutancy,  his  arrest,  and  everything, — for  poor  Grace 
could  only  vaguely  hint  that  there  were  troubles  she 
could  not  explain,  yet  longed  to  that  she  might  ask  her 
forgiveness, — Mrs.  Wilkins's  relief  was  something  tragic 
in  its  intensity.  Once  uncorked,  the  story  flew  forth 
with  a  rush  ;  and  the  reader  probably  has  seen  enough 
of  Mrs.  Wilkins  to  feel  assured  that  Lady  Pelham  had 
small  mercy  shown  her.  Naturally,  however,  one's 
principal  alarm  may  be  as  to  how  Mrs.  Tanner  bore 
the  recital.  For  her  husband  and  for  Truscott  she 
was  indignant  in  no  mild  degree,  but  she  said  very 
little.  For  herself,  she  hardly  thought. 

"It's  my  belief,"  said  Mrs.  Wilkins,  among  other 
things,  "  that  if  it  hadn't  been  for  the  venomous  stories 
of  that  mother  of  hers  Grace  Pelham  would  no  more 
be  engaged  to  that  little  milksop  of  a  Glen  ham  than  I 
would.  It  was  Jack  Truscott  she  fancied  from  the  first." 

And  despite  her  own  bitter  desolation,  many  a  waking 
hour  did  the  quiet  little  woman  give  to  earnest  thought 
over  the  whole  matter.  It  was  more  than  a  revelation, 
it  gave  her  something  to  plan  and  act  upon. 

aa  34* 


402  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

It  was  after  drill  when  Mr.  Truscott  came  in  on  the 
following  morning.  Almost  the  first  thing  she  did  was 
to  give  him  the  key  of  a  tin  despatch-box  belonging  to 
the  captain.  "  My  letters  to  him  are  in  that,"  she  briefly 
explained,  "  and  I  want  the  package  marked  '  From 
Fort  Phoenix/"  To  him  she  made  no  allusion  to  his 
changed  fortunes  or  to  the  story  she  had  heard.  She 
was  frank,  gentle,  unembarrassed  ;  but  he  noted  a  pink 
flush  in  the  centre  of  each  cheek,  which  alarmed  him, 
and  the  doctor  once  more  forbade  business  tal  ks.  "  What 
wouldn't  he  have  said  did  he  know  of  all  I'd  told  her  ?" 
thought  Mrs.  Wilkins,  though  she  excused  herself  by 
the  reflection  that  had  she  not  related  the  whole  affair 
Mrs.  Tanner  would  have  worried  her  life  out  trying  to 
fathom  it.  And  perhaps  she  would.  Who  knows  ? 
Truscott  soon  returned  to  the  desk,  and  announced  at 
luncheon-time  that  all  the  work  was  finished,  her 
signature  to  certain  papers  being  all  that  was  needed. 
Then  he  left  the  house. 

That  afternoon  Mrs.  Raymond  and  Mrs.  Turner 
came  together  and  begged  to  be  allowed  to  come  up 
stairs  and  sit  with  Mrs.  Tanner  a  while.  Mrs.  Tan 
ner  begged  to  be  excused.  "Do  you  suppose  that 
woman  can  have  told  her  anything?"  asked  one  of 
the  other. 

"  She  would  tell  anything  she  knew,"  was  the  reply 
of  Mrs.  Turner,  who  never  was  known  to  keep  a  secret 
in  her  life,  and  yet  in  her  own  mind  was  set  upon  a 
very  pinnacle  of  discretion. 

Later  came  Grace  Pelham,  whom  Rosalie  eagerly  ran 
to  welcome,  calling  her  "  Aunt  Gracie,"  as  she  had  in 
mysterious  way  learned  to  speak  of  her  sweet 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS  403 

friend,  and  when  her  voice  was  heard  in  the  hall  below, 
Mrs.  Tanner  asked  that  she  be  invited  up  at  once. 

She  had  been  riding  with  Mr.  Glenham,  and  it 
would  seem  as  though,  of  late,  her  favorite  exercise  had 
been  bereft  of  all  benefit  or  pleasure,  and  this  day  the 
conversation  she  had  undergone  with  her  adorer  had 
been  far  from  soothing.  He  had  begun  reproaching 
her  for  coldness  and  indifference,  and  she  could  not  and 
did  not  specifically  deny  the  charge.  Very  pale  and 
tired  she  looked  as  she  seated  herself  by  the  side  of  her 
friend,  whom  she  was  with  every  hour  learning  to  love 
more  dearly.  Mrs.  Tanner  quickly  marked  her  pallor 
and  fatigue. 

"Your  ride  has  been  far  from  enjoyable,  I  fear, 
Gracie,"  she  said,  and  the  long  interview  of  the  previ 
ous  evening  must  have  been  of  a  most  intimate  nature 
to  warrant  such  a  piece  of  impertinence  on  Mrs.  Tan 
ner's  part.  "Mrs.  Wilkins  has  told  me  the  whole 
story/'  (Here  the  bright,  beautiful  head  hid  itself  in 
the  most  convenient  and  natural  resting-place  it  could 
find.)  "  Now  I  have  one  to  tell  you.  Are  you  too 
tired  to  hear  it  ?  (What  woman  would  be  ?  The  head 
was  promptly  shaken,  though  the  face  was  still  hidden. 
"  Are  you  sure  you  are  strong  enough  to  tell  it  ?"  was 
indistinctly  murmured.)  "  I  do  not  propose  to  make 
an  explanation,"  continued  Mrs.  Tanner,  while  a  very 
sad,  sweet  smile  played  for  a  moment  over  her  pallid 
face,  "  but  the  story  is  one  I  want  you  to  hear." 

And  so  in  the  solemn  stillness  and  peace  of  the 
sick-room  the  truth  came  out.  Slowly,  gently,  the 
patient  sufferer,  forgetting  for  a  time  the  bitterness 
of  her  bereavement,  her  illness,  her  wrongs,  told  the 


404  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

tale  of  her  life  since  she  had  come  into  the  regiment 
and  Jack  Truscott  had  come  into  her  life ;  of  the  let 
ters  in  which  Captain  Tanner  had  described  him  before 
they  came  East  together ;  of  his  appearance  and  bear 
ing  at  their  wedding;  of  her  sister's  admiration  for 
him  and  the  correspondence  that  followed;  of  the  en 
gagement  and  her  own  misgiving  because  of  that  sis 
ter's  acceptance  of  the  attentions  of  the  well-to-do 
widower  at  home.  Of  Jack's  home-life  with  them  on 
the  frontier,  his  love  for  little  Bertie,  his  devotion  to 
the  baby  during  her  illness,  his  deep  tenderness  and 
sympathy  when  baby  died.  Ah,  no  wonder  the  tears 
rained  down  her  worn  face  as  she  spoke  of  that.  Of 
her  sister's  deceit  and  the  rupture  of  their  engagement, 
and  of  Jack's  delicate  and  manly  bearing  towards  her 
and  her  husband  after  that  affair.  Of  the  order  to 
Arizona  and  her  own  misery  at  having  to  leave  that 
little  grave  in  far-away  Kansas.  Of  his  letters  to  her 
and  to  the  captain  during  his  separation  from  the  troop, 
all  preserved  and  cherished  yet.  Of  his  care  of  the 
little  grave  when  they  had  gone,  and  his  arrival  at  Fort 
Phoenix  six  months  after. 

"He  came  suddenly,"  she  said,  aand  the  captain 
was  out  on  a  scout.  I  heard  his  voice  at  the  door  and 
rushed  down  to  greet  him,  and  there  on  the  table  in  the 
parlor  was  a  box  of  earth  in  which  were  transplanted 
some  of  the  flowers  from  Bertie's  grave,  that  he,  the 
loving,  loyal  fellow,  had  brought,  cared  for,  watered, 
and  watched  through  all  that  long  journey.  No  wonder 
I  could  not  speak.  I  could  only  sob  my  thanks,  and 
I  did  throw  my  arms  round  his  neck  and  would  have 
kissed  him,  only  he  was  too  tall  or  astonished,  or  some- 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  40 Jj 

thing.  Here's  my  letter  telling  my  husband  all  about 
it,  Gracie,  and  if  he  thought  no  wrong  of  me,  wh) 
should  others  ?  Of  course  they  could  not  know,  could 
not  understand."  And  here  Grace  raised  her  own 
tearful  face  from  the  bosom  whereon  it  had  lain  and 
twined  her  arms  around  the  slender  neck  and  kissed 
her,  the  pure  lips  meeting  again  and  again. 

And  then  the  story  went  on.  Of  their  pleasure  at 
being  ordered  to  join  headquarters  and  to  again  be 
with  Jack  in  garrison ;  of  the  trip  to  Prescott  and 
their  alarm  when  he  did  not  appear ;  of  his  grief  at 
the  loss  of  "  Apache."  "  It  was  to  go  with  him  and  see 
his  grave  that  I  left  you  all  at  Olson's  ranch  that  day." 
Of  his  distress  at  having  to  communicate  to  Captain 
Tanner  the  order  sending  him  off  on  a  dangerous  mis 
sion  the  very  anniversary  of  Bertie's  death.  "  You 
know  now  what  that  was  to  me,  Gracie.  I  had  asked 
him  to  come  and  take  me  out  on  the  bluff  to  see  the 
last  of  them  as  they  marched  away,  and  when  the  call 
sounded,  just  as  it  did  as  my  baby  drew  her  last  breath 
and  lay  dead  in  my  arms,  was  it  strange  that  one  so  ill 
as  I  am  should  swoon  ?"  And  then  she  told  of  the 
captain's  letters  to  her  and  to  Truscott,  asking  that 
those  papers  should  be  made  out  at  once  and  sent  by 
first  mail  to  San  Francisco ;  and  how  they  had  worked 
together  in  the  library  at  the  copies,  and  of  his  hearing 
the  colonel's  voice  so  late  at  night  out  on  the  road,  and 
his  going  at  once  to  see  what  was  the  matter.  Of  his 
departure  to  overtake  her  husband,  and  how  strange 
she  thought  it  that  the  adjutant  should  be  sent  on  such 
a  mission.  Of  his  return ;  then  of  the  receipt  of  tho 
dreadful  news,  and  she  could  speak  no  more.  For 


406  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

hours  they  clung  to  one  another  in  silent  sympathy, 
that  infinite  and  merciful  sweetness  of  communion 
which  God  has  given  to  women  who  mourn,  and  then, 
comforted  unspeakably,  yet  infinitely  humbled,  Grace 
Pelham  went  home. 

The  colonel  was  sitting  moodily  in  his  den,  and  even 
at  her  kiss  arid  caress  did  not  rouse  himself  from  his 
abstraction. 

"  There's  a  letter  for  you  from  Ralph,  dear,"  he  said, 
dejectedly.  "  I'd  like  to  know  what's  in  it." 

She  tore  it  open.  A  few  fond,  hurried  words  of  con 
gratulation  on  her  engagement.  Mother's  letter  was 
just  received.  So  proud  and  glad  to  think  of  her 
being  so  happily  settled.  Glenham  must  be  a  splendid 
fellow  to  win  and  deserve  such  a  prize,  etc.,  etc.  Love 
to  all.  Ealph. 

"  P.S. — Need  I  tell  you  that  it  is  with  infinite  re 
lief  that  I  found  it  was  not  Glenham  at  all  who  fur 
nished  the  money  that  got  me  out  of  my  scrape?  I 
would  have  been  horribly  embarrassed  had  the  bene 
factor  turned  out  to  be  my  future  brother-in-law.  It 
was  Jack  Truscott  again  and  all  the  time,  as  I  found 
when  I  went  to  make  the  first  payment,  and  he  made 
me  believe  it  was  Glenham.  What  a  trump  that 
fellow  is!" 

Without  a  word  Grace  stood  there  staring  blankly  at 
the  last  page. 

"  What  is  it,  daughter  ?"  asked  the  colonel,  anxiously. 
She  threw  the  letter  on  the  desk  before  him,  rushed  from 
the  room,  and  locked  herself  in  her  own. 

Poor  girl !  Her  thoughts  as  she  lay  there  sobbing 
convulsively  in  her  trouble  were  far  from  hopeful. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  407 

What  had  she  done  that  in  all  the  buoyancy  of  youth, 
health,  and  her  radiant  beauty  this  wretched  blight 
should  have  fallen  upon  her?  All  that  Mrs.  Tanner 
had  told  her,  all  that  she  herself  had  begun  to  realize 
must  be  true  of  him,  all  that  Ralph's  letter  revealed, 
only  showed  him,  the  lover  whom  she  had  spurned,  in 
nobler,  brighter  colors ;  and  this  knightly  soldier,  this 
honest  and  courteous  gentleman,  this  brilliant,  gallant 
officer,  this  loyal,  trusted  friend,  this  gentle-hearted 
man  whom  she  had  seen  sorrowing  over  the  coffin  of 
his  comrade,  or  mingling  his  tears  with  those  of  that 
comrade's  lonely  little  one,  this  Bayard  without  fear, 
without  reproach,  had  laid  his  heart  and  honor  at  her 
feet,  and  she  had  turned  from  the  priceless  offering  in 
contempt.  She  had  not  even  deigned  him  one  word 
of  acknowledgment,  and  now,  all  too  late !  all  too  late ! 
she  knew  that  love  her  loyally,  faithfully,  tenderly  as 
he  might,  no  love  could  stand  such  a  test  as  that.  All 
too  late  she  knew  that  love  her  loyally,  faithfully, 
tenderly  as  he  might,  he  could  not  love  her  better  than 
she  loved  him.  What  reparation  could  she  make? 
What  could  she  say  ?  What  would  she  not  do  to  win 
back  one  such  look  as  she  had  seen  in  his  dark,  glow 
ing  eyes  the  day  he  told  her  of  his  love  ?  And  yet 
how  could  she  utter  one  word  that  would  not  be  a 
betrayal  of  her  love  that  now  might  well  be  spurned 
in  turn  ?  How  dare  she  do  aught  to  recall  him  when 
— when — oh,  merciful  heaven  !  how  at  the  thought  she 
clutched  her  streaming  hair  in  her  quivering  hands ! — • 
when  she  stood  before  him  the  betrothed  wife  of 
another, — another  who  too  had  wronged  him  ? 

With  Ralph's  letter  the  last  stone  in  the  fabric  of 


408  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

her  regard  for  Glenham  bad  been  toppled  to  earth.  In 
desperation  at  what  she  believed  the  utter  dishonor  of 
her  lover  she  had  yielded  to  the  prayers  of  this  other 
suitor  and  the  vehement  arguments  of  her  mother. 
"  You  are  even  distressing  your  poor  father"  had  been 
one  of  madame's  points,  and  her  father  had  shown 
plainly  that  he  only  tolerated  Glenham  on  her  account. 
Even  respect  for  him  was  gone,  for  she  had  heard  of 
his  vacillation  and  final  abandonment  of  the  chance  to 
go  on  this  last  scout.  She  knew,  of  course,  of  his 
abandonment  of  Truscott's  roof.  She  had  absolutely 
had  to  beg  him  to  desist  when,  trying  to  defend  his 
action  to  her,  he  ventured  to  disparage  the  best  and 
most  loyal  friend  he  had  ever  found  in  the  regiment, 
and  now  he  was  wearying  her  with  his  querulous  com 
plaints,  his  ceaseless  moping.  She  had  begged  him  to 
accept  his  freedom  and  give  her  hers,  but  he  held  her 
to  her  promise,  and  went  and  told  her  mother.  Poor 
devil !  Love  had  made  an  ass  of  him  as  it  has  of 

stronger  men  than  he,  and  as  for  her  mother Ah, 

no !  Let  that  be  unsaid.  "  Honor  thy  father  and  thy 
mother"  she  had  lisped  in  her  babyhood,  and  only 
within  this  last  month  had  ambition  for  her  robbed 
that  wretched  mother  of  the  ready  tribute  of  love  and 
faith  and  honor  that  hitherto  had  been  unfailing.  Poor 
lady !  Sorrowful  indeed  had  been  her  life  of  late,  but 
what  would  not  be  her  terror  could  she  see  her  hus 
band's  face  as  he  sat  staring  at  that  letter  of  Ralph's, 
while  Grace  lay  weeping  in  her  room  ? 

A  hand  turned  the  knob  of  the  door  and  rattled 
impatiently. 

"  Grace,  if  you  propose  going  to  Mrs.  Turner's  this 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  409 

evening  it  is  time  you  were  dressed,"  a  dismal,  monot 
onous  voice  was  heard  to  say,  and  Grace  started  to  her 
feet. 

"  Come  what  may,  he  shall  know  that  I  implore  his 
forgiveness,"  said  Grace  to  herself,  as  she  stood  before 
the  mirror;  "and  come  what  may,  Arthur  Glenham 
shall  know  the  truth." 

Despite  the  general  gloom  in  the  garrison,  Mrs. 
Turner  had  invited  a  few  friends  (which  meant  the 
entire  commissioned  force  at  the  post,  with  the  families 
of  the  married  officers)  to  spend  the  evening  at  her 
house  and  mildly  celebrate  the  birthday  of  her  hus 
band,  whose  birthday-cake,  an  elaborate  affair,  much 
studded  with  waxen  tapers,  had  been  sent  all  the  way 
from  San  Francisco. 

"  It  was  a  pity  to  lose  it,"  she  argued,  "  so,  though  we 
are  all  so  blue,  you  know,  over  dear  Captain  Tanner's 
death,  we  might  just  as  well  have  a  quiet  gathering." 

Mrs.  Wilkins  had  refused  outright,  she  had  other 
things  to  attend  to,  and  Mrs.  Tanner,  of  course,  was 
not  to  be  expected ;  but  everybody  else  had  accepted, 
as  is  customary,  unless  there  be  some  valid  reason  to 
urge.  Yet,  when  Turner  himself  invited  Mr.  Truscott, 
he  felt  it  necessary  to  say  a  few  apologetic  words.  "  I 
know  you  will  not  care  to  come  anyway,  Jack,  and  I 
fear  that  you  have  heard  that  which  cannot  be  wholly 
denied,  that  my  wife  had  some  share  in  the  circulation 
of  those  stories  that  caused  such  horrible  trouble.  Of 
course,  you  must  know  how  cut  up  I  feel  to  think  that 
such  has  been  the  case,  but  the  tongue  is  an  unruly 
member  we  are  taught ;  and — well,  when  you  get  mar 
ried,  old  man,  may  the  Lord  spare  you  from  finding 
s  35 


410  THE   COLON  EL1  S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

out  what  ninety-nine  out  of  a  hundred  husbands  dis 
cover  ! — that  a  woman's  tongue  is  simply  uncontrol 
lable.  Of  course,  she's  found  out.  F  ve  told  her  that  you 
have  heard  of  her  part  in  the  affair,  and  she's  awfully 
nervous  about  the  way  you'll  meet  her.  I  wouldn't 
tell  any  one  else  this  about  my  wife,  Jack,  but  I  rated 
her  roundly  for  her  share  of  the  mischief,  and — and — 
I'll  take  it  as  a  kindness  if  you  will  come  and  see  us. 
You  know  well  what  you  are  to  me." 

And  so  it  happened  that  late  that  evening  Mr.  Trus- 
cott's  tall  form  appeared  among  the  guests  at  Captain 
Turner's.  Mrs.  Turner  welcomed  him  with  vividly 
coloring  cheeks  and  somewhat  over-eager  cordiality. 
As  for  him,  his  manner  was  simply  as  composed  and 
placid  as  ever,  and  he  accepted  a  seat  by  the  side  of  his 
hostess  quite  as  a  matter  of  course.  Grace  was  sur 
rounded  by  the  youngsters  of  the  regiment,  as  was  tc 
be  expected,  and  Mr.  Glenham  was  pulling  discontent 
edly  at  the  scanty  hairs  which  ornamented  his  upper 
lip.  To  this  group  speedily  appeared  Mr.  Ray,  lively 
as  ever,  and  apparently  imbued  with  a  spirit  of  mis 
chief.  It  had  occurred  to  him  that  here  was  a  good 
chance  to  worry  Mrs.  Pelham,  whom  he  had  learned  to 
detest  most  cordially.  The  colonel  had  been  most  sol 
emn  and  gloomy  in  his  manner  towards  him  ever  since 
his  refusal  of  the  adjutancy,  and  he  had  enjoyed  no  op 
portunity  of  speaking  to  Grace  herself,  and,  as  bad  luck 
would  have  it,  she  did  not  at  all  care  to  be  monopolized 
by  him,  this  night  of  all  others.  Her  whole  heart  was 
bound  up  in  Truscott.  She  noted  his  every  movement, 
though  her  eyes  bravely  did  their  duty,  and  strove  to 
look  interested  in  the  chatter  of  Messrs.  Dana  and 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  411 

Hunter,  and  she  managed  to  keep  up  her  share  in  the 
conversation  in  a  lively  manner.  How  is  it  they  can 
do  it?  If  her  heart  were  breaking,  such  a  girl  as 
Grace  Pelham  would  manage  to  appear  all  life  and 
vivacity  under  similar  circumstances.  Then  Mr.  Ray 
shouldered  his  way  through  the  circle  of  admirers,  and 
held  forth  his  hand. 

"  I  don't  propose  to  be  kept  on  the  outskirts  of  this 
crowd  all  night,  Miss  Pelham,  if  I  am  the  oldest  and 
worst-singed  moth  around  the  candle.  I've  come  in  to 
bask  a  few  minutes  anyhow,  scorch  or  no  scorch." 

She  welcomed  him  cordially,  of  course.  She  liked 
him  far  better  than  any  of  the  others.  She  had  heard 
from  Mrs.  Wilkins  all  about  his  championship  of  Trus- 
cott's  cause,  and  of  his  refusal  of  her  father's  offer.  She 
could  have  blessed  him  for  that.  There  was  not  a  man 
fit  to  take  her  hero's  place,  and  evidently  her  father 
had  come  to  the  same  opinion.  She  knew  that  Glen- 
ham  now  disliked  Kay,  and  there  was  just  enough  of 
feminine  coquetry  about  her  to  make  that  reflection  a 
cause  of  additional  cordiality  to  Ray.  But,  above  all, 
he  was  nearer  to  Truscott,  more  intimate  with  him  now 
than  any  of  the  others,  and  though  it  was  Truscott,  and 
Truscott  alone,  she  longed  to  speak  to,  Ray  would 
answer  when  there  was  nothing  better.  He  rattled  on 
in  his  reckless,  superficial  style,  totally  ignoring  Glen- 
ham  or  her  new  relations  with  him ;  and  when  supper- 
time  came  it  was  he  who  hovered  about  her,  bringing 
every  dainty  he  could  lay  hands  on,  and  playing  the 
devoted  in  a  way  he  could  plainly  see  was  making 
Glenham  rabid  and  Mrs.  Pelham  hideously  uncomfort 
able,  "  1  don't  care/'  he  said  to  himself,  as  Arthur 


412  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

went  scowling]  y  off  to  his  would-be  mother-in-law.  "  So 
long  as  they  behaved  decently  I  would,  but  now  I  don't 
care  a  chip  what  they  think."  But  before  very  long  he 
noticed  a  something  in  her  manner  he  had  never  seen 
before.  Bright  as  she  was,  and  as  she  strove  to  be,  he 
noted  the  wandering  glance,  the  occasionally  absent- 
minded  replies,  and  it  set  him  to  thinking.  Next  he 
saw  that  Truscott  and  Colonel  Pelham,  punch-glasses 
in  hand,  were  holding  an  earnest  conversation,  and 
that  her  eyes  fled  to  that  particular  corner  every  other 
minute.  "  I  mean  to  see  what  this  means/'  said  Mr. 
Eay  to  himself.  Then,— "Was  it  possible,  so  early? 
Surely  not  going  yet?"  Mrs.  Turner  was  saying  all 
this  in  response  to  Truscott's  quiet  adieu,  and  Ray 
saw  that  Grace  Pelham  had  lost  all  interest  in  any 
thing  he  could  say  or  do,  and  was  gazing  with  wist 
ful  eyes  after  Truscott,  who  seemed  bent  on  leaving 
the  room  at  the  time  of  all  others  when  people  would 
be  too  busy  to  note  his  departure,  for  supper  was  not 
over. 

And  Colonel  Pelham  went  with  him,  quietly  saying 
that  he  would  return  in  time  to  escort  madame  home. 
Ray  flew  to  the  door. 

"  What's  your  hurry,  Jack?" 

"  Come  to  my  quarters  when  you  get  through,"  was 
his  answer.  "  I  must  see  Mrs.  Tanner  for  a  while,  as  I 
leave  for  Prescott  at  reveille.  Say  nothing  about  it," 
and  he  was  off. 

Ray  returned  to  Miss  Pelham,  whose  eyes  looked  in 
earnest  questioning  up  into  his. 

"  Isn't  Mr.  Truscott  coming  back  ?  I  had  hoped  to 
see  him." 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  413 

"  No.     Something's  up.     I  don't  know  what." 

"He  can't  be — he  is  not  ordered  off,  is  he?"  she 
exclaimed  in  startled  tones,  and  with  features  rapidly 
paling  despite  her  efforts  at  control. 

Ray  looked  in  amaze.  Then  he  thought  of  the  hand 
kerchief,  of  Truscott's  changed,  worn  look,  of  a  hundred 
little  things  that  flashed  upon  him  all  at  once,  and  of  the 
intensity  of  emotion  in  the  sweet,  pallid  face  before  him. 
Quick  as  a  flash,  he  bent  over  her  as  he  had  bent  to  raise 
her  the  day  of  the  runaway ;  hurried  and  low  he  spoke. 

"  If  you  have  anything  to  say,  to  send  to  him,  trust 
me.  He  goes  to  Prescott  at  reveille,  but  told  me  not 
to  speak  of  it." 

Gone,  and  without  a  glance  at  her ;  without  one  word. 
Was  she  so  utterly  beneath  him  as  that?  Had  she, 
then,  sinned  past  all  forgiveness  ?  Was  his  love  so  light 
that  it  would  vanish  under  the  misunderstandings  of  the 
past  week  and  never  again  seek  for  its  answer  ?  Was 

she Pride  and  resolution  came  to  the  rescue. 

Grace  Pelham  looked  proudly  up  into  the  sympathetic 
features  of  the  misguided  young  man. 

"  Thanks,  Mr.  Ray.  Nothing  that  I  can  think  of 
now.  A  little  more  coffee,  if  you  please." 

But  she  thanked  heaven  when  it  came  time  to  go; 
and  her  father  appeared.  The  colonel  was  sore  dis 
turbed  about  something,  and  while  Mr.  Glenham  hung 
about  the  parlor  on  their  return  home,  that  gentleman 
had  accompanied  Lady  Pelham  aloft.  There  his  voice 
was  heard  in  vehement  accents,  hers  in  protestations, 
and  presently  in  tears. 

"  Fll  go,"  said  Glenham,  seeing  her  distress.  "  Bui 
I  must  see  you  to-morrow." 

35* 


414  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR 

"  Yes,  go,"  she  pleaded.  "  You  surely  want  to  say 
good-by  to  Mr.  Truscott" 

"  Oh,  he's  only  going  up  as  witness  on  a  court.  He'll 
be  back  in  three  days." 

She  closed  the  door  on  him  relentlessly,  and  that  of 
the  parlor  as  she  returned.  But  her  father  caine  down 
at  once. 

"  Grace  dear,"  he  asked,  in  a  tone  of  deep  agitation, 
w  have  you  ever  received  a  note  written  you  by  Mr. 
Truscott  just  before  he  went  out  after  Captain  Tanner's 
command  ?" 

"Never,  father." 

Instantly  he  returned  to  the  room  above.  And  just 
what  transpired  in  that  interview  heaven  forbid  that 
we  should  care  to  hear.  The  colonel  had  discovered 
that  his  wife  had  intercepted  Truscott's  letter  to  Grace, 
and  that  she  had  lied  to  him  and  to  her.  She  well 
knew  that  Truscott,  not  Glenhara,  had  been  Ralph's 
benefactor. 

Two  evenings  after  a  number  of  our  friends  at  Sandy 
were  gathered  at  the  colonel's  quarters.  "Gloomy 
Glenham,"  as  he  was  now  called,  Mrs.  Turner,  Mrs. 
Raymond,  Grace,  and  Mrs.  Pelham,  the  colonel,  and 
several  junior  officers  were  seated  around  the  parlor. 
Grace  had  just  been  singing,  and  now  there  came  a 
demand  for  more. 

"  Oh,  do  sing  *  Douglas,  Tender  and  True/  "  begged 
Mrs.  Turner. 

"  Yes,  please  do,"  chimed  in  Mrs.  Raymond. 

"It's  your  very  best  song,  I  think,"  said  Captain 
Turner.  "  Please  sing  it." 

"  Very  well,"  said  Grace,  reluctantly.     She  had  not 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  415 

sung  for  days,  and  there  were  words  to  this  that  even 
in  the  mere  temporary  absence  of  Jack  Truscott  struck 
home  to  her  heart  as  she  thought  of  them.  "  I'm  not 
in  voice  to-night,  I  fear,"  she  added;  "but  I'll  try." 

Had  not  Mrs.  Tanner  told  her  he  would  be  back  on 
the  morrow?  Had  not  there  been  something  in  her 
sweet,  caressing  manner  that  revived  hope,  courage, 
love  in  her  heart  ?  She  turned  to  the  piano  again,  and 
Mr.  Glenham  placed  the  music  on  the  rack.  It  was 
no  favorite  of  his.  The  servant  entered  with  a  tele 
graphic  despatch,  which  the  colonel  opened  and  read. 

"I  thought  so,"  said  he.  "We've  lost  Truscott. 
He  is  ordered  to  West  Point,  and  left  this  morning  for 
San  Francisco.  Go  on,  Gracie." 

Go  on  ?  go  on  ?  The  room  was  whirling  round  her ; 
a  deadly  choking  sensation  had  seized  her  throat ;  there 
was  a  confused  buzzing  of  voices  in  her  ears,  excla 
mations  of  surprise,  regret,  dismay;  but  she  heard 
nothing  distinctly.  White  as  a  sheet,  she  grasped  at 
the  key-board,  and  Glenham  stood  stupidly  staring  at 
her.  But  in  an  instant,  through  filmy  eyes,  she  saw  a 
glass  of  water  before  her,  and  she  eagerly  seized  and 
drank  it,  and  a  cheery  voice  was  murmuring  something 
quick  and  stirring  in  her  ear.  It  was  Ray. 

"  Rally  all  your  pluck.  Sing  as  you  rode,  Miss 
Gracie ;  I'll  back  you  to  win."  And  with  all  the  non- 
eJialance  in  the  world  he  replaced  the  goblet  on  a  dis 
tant  table,  saying  so  that  all  could  hear, — 

"  I  really  beg  your  pardon,  Miss  Pelham.  When 
you  asked  for  water  I  thought  it  was  Glenham  you  ad 
dressed  ;  and  then  that  beggarly  telegram  came,  and  I 
forgot  your  request  entirely." 


416  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER-,    OR 

Bravely,  gallantly,  she  raised  her  head  and  strove  to 
crush  out  the  whirl  of  wretchedness  in  which  her 
father's  announcement  had  engulfed  her.  Hardly 
realizing  what  it  was  she  was  called  upon  to  sing,  she 
rapidly  played  the  soft,  sweet  prelude,  and,  with  voice 
that  trembled  as  though  in  harmony  with  the  spirit  of 
the  song,  began, — 

"  Could  ye  come  back  to  me,  Douglas,  Douglas, 

In  the  old  likeness  that  I  knew, 
I'd  be  so  faithful,  so  loving,  Douglas, 
Douglas,  Douglas,  tender  and  true." 

«._•' 

All  conversation  had  ceased ;  all  ears  were  drinking 
in  the  exquisite,  plaintive  melody;  all  eyes  were  upon 
her,  and  she  knew  it.  Oh,  what  would  she  not  give  to 
be  singing  anything — anything  else?  But  it  was  too 
late  now. 

"  I  was  not  half  worthy  of  you,  Douglas, 

Not  half  worthy  the  like  of  you  ; 
Now  all  men  beside  you  to  me  are  shadows, 
Douglas,  Douglas,  tender  and  true." 

"  My  God  1  can  she  do  it  ?"  muttered  Ray,  between 
his  set  teeth.  "  It's  the  next  hurdle  that  will  try  her 
nerve."  And  he  leaned  against  the  light  table,  looking 
quickly  around  upon  its  load  of  books  and  albums. 
Then  his  eyes  returned  to  their  eager  watch.  She  was 
trembling ;  she  threw  back  her  head  and  forced  her 
self  to  commence  again, — 

"  O  to  bring  back  the  days  that  are  not ! 

Mine  eyes  were  blinded,  your  words  were  few; 
Do " 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  417 

Crash  !  came  table,  books,  Hay,  and  all  in  clattering 
uproar  and  confusion  over  the  parlor  floor.  He  sprang 
to  his  feet,  all  dust,  embarrassment,  and  profuse  apolo 
gies.  Shouts  of  laughter,  long,  ringing  peals  of  merri 
ment  filled  the  room.  Mrs.  Turner  and  Mrs.  Raymond 
went  almost  into  hysterics;  Raymond,  Hunter,  and 
Glenham  guffawed  outright ;  the  colonel  almost  choked 
into  an  apoplectic  seizure,  and  Grace, — Grace  covered 
her  face  in  her  handkerchief  and  wept  hysterically 
until  she  could  regain  control  of  herself,  and  thanked 
and  blessed  him  from  the  bottom  of  her  heart. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Ray,"  gasped  Mrs.  Raymond,  at  length, 
"  that's  the  first  clumsy  thing  I  ever  knew  you  to  do  in 
my  life." 

Only  one  pair  of  eyes  besides  his  had  seen  that  she 
could  not  sing  another  word ;  that  an  utter  break-down 
must  come,  and  a  flood  of  tears  with  it,  and  Mr.  Ray 
anticipated  the  break-down,  and  provided  a  cover  for 
the  flood  of  tears.  It  might  have  been  clumsy,  but 
she  knew  better. 


THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 


CHAPTEE    XXII. 

now  the  winter  is  gone,  the  glad  spring-time 
has  come,  the  voice  of  the  turtle  would  doubtless  be 
heard  in  the  land  if  that  sort  of  melody  were  in  vogue 
in  these  days  of  scepticism,  and  the  promotion,  which 
we  are  biblically  assured  cometh  neither  from  the  east 
nor  from  the  west,  nor  from  any  source  whatever,  as  is 
beginning  to  be  the  creed  in  our  veteran  army,  has 
nevertheless  come  to  Jack  Truscott. 

A  vacancy  has  occurred  in  a  popular  staff  depart 
ment.  Applicants  for  that  majority  are  numbered  by 
the  dozen.  Senators  and  Representatives  in  Congress 
assembled  swarm  about  the  White  House  to  advocate 
the  claims  of  captains  by  the  score,  of  lieutenants  by 
divisions,  and  there  are  majors  in  the  line  who  wouldn't 
mind  losing  a  year  or  two  of  rank  to  get  out  of  frontier 
duty  and  into  an  easy  office  chair,  with  clerks  and  check 
books  and  cigars  ad  libitum.  There  are  old  captains 
who  have  commanded  divisions  or  brigades  during  the 
great  war,  fellows  with  unimpeachable  records  and  un 
doubted  ability  and  not  a  few  battle-scars  and  gray 
hairs  and  grandchildren;  old  soldiers,  who  would 
gladly  turn  over  their  small  squad  of  a  company  to 
some  young  and  vigorous  and  unencumbered  enthusiast, 
in  whose  breast  hope  springs  eternal ;  old  soldiers,  who 
would  lend  dignity  and  honor  to  the  department  in 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS. 

which  the  vacancy  lias  occurred,  and  would  thrice  wel 
come  the  opportunity  to  see  a  prospect  of  a  home  before 
them  and  school  for  the  youngsters.  Congress  is  in 
session,  important  measures  are  up  for  discussion,  yet 
the  newspapers  give  daily  a  quarter  of  a  column  to  tele 
graphic  speculations  as  to  whom  the  President  will  ap 
point  to  the  vacancy  in  that  department.  Captain  A. 
is  warmly  backed  by  Senator  B.  Other  captains,  with 
undeniable  war  records,  are  backed  by  the  delegations 
of  their  States;  but  Captain  C.,  who  is  a  first  cousin  of 
a  prominent  inmate  of  the  White  House,  has  a  capital 
chance,  unless  the  President,  in  despair  at  having  to 
choose  from  so  many  admirable  war  histories,  should 
decide  on  Lieutenant  D.,  only  a  few  years  out  of  the 
Point,  and  whose  numerous  friends  at  Washington  are 
confident  of  his  success. 

At  last  the  announcement  is  made.  "  The  President 
has  determined  that  the  appointee  shall  represent  the 
fighting  branch  of  the  service,  and  it  is  now  known 
that  his  excellency  will  nominate  a  gallant  officer  of  a 
distinguished  cavalry  regiment  that  has  for  years  past 
been  doing  arduous  and  bloody  work  among  the  savages 
of  Arizona."  And  eminently  proper  this  seems  to  the 
army  at  large  and  to  the  general  public,  who  have  no 
personal  interest  in  the  candidates.  And  so  it  results 
that  our  gallant  friends  of  the  — th  are  recognized,  and 
the  promotion  falls  upon  a  distinguished  officer  of  that 
distinguished  regiment;  and  Captain  Wormley,  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  for  years  past,  and  known  to  the 
— th  only  upon  its  monthly  returns,  but  having  a  wide 
circle  of  admiring  friends  in  the  Capital  City,  where  he 
has  been  for  years  on  some  mysterious  staffduty,  becomes 


420  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

Major  Wormley  of  the  — 's  department.  He  is  son  of 
a  statesman,  nephew  of  a  cabinet  officer's  lady,  brother 
of  a  Congressman's  wife,  cousin  of  a  War  Department 
official,  and  cousin-german,  so  to  speak,  to  half  the 
pretty  girls  in  Washington.  Welcome,  major,  to  your 
leaves  and  laurels,  and  long  may  you  live  to  lord  it 
over  subsequent  appointments  by  telling  them  that  you 
"  oame  in  from  the  cavalry"  ! 

"  But  it  gives  Jack  Truscott  the  double-hurdles  on 
his  straps,"  shouted  Mr.  Ray,  in  huge  delight.  "  Let's 
send  him  a  royal  old  telegram  of  congratulation."  And 
that  evening,  as  he  sits  at  dinner  and  receives  the  hearty 
greetings  of  the  officers'  mess  on  the  far-away  banks  of 
the  Hudson,  Jack's  heart  turns  to  the  old  crowd  in  the 
— tli,  now  marching  in  from  Arizona.  Their  message 
had  reached  him. 

So  has  another, — a  letter  from  his  loyal  friend,  the 
general's  wife,  who  long  since  assured  him  that  she 
knew  "  it  would  all  come  out  right."  So,  too,  has  an 
other  still ;  for  only  this  very  day  has  he  heard  from 
Mrs.  Tanner,  and  it  must  be  admitted  that  Jack's 
thoughts  wandered  more  upon  what  they  had  written 
than  upon  the  elevation  he  had  so  unexpectedly  at 
tained.  Extracts  may  be  of  interest  to  those  who  have 
found  anything  of  interest  in  our  story. 

"Didn't  I  tell  you  so?"  wrote  the  first.  "Grace 
Pelham's  engagement  is  broken  at  last.  She  never 
cared — she  never  could  care  for  such  a  humdrum  crea 
ture  as  Mr.  Glenham.  Why,  Jack,  when  she  came  up 
here  after  you  went  East,  he  followed  too,  and  it  just 
used  to  make  me  sick  the  way  he  moped  and  whined 
around  after  her.  She  has  tried  a  dozen  times  to  get  him 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  421 

to  release  her,  so  everybody  says,  but  he  wouldn't.  That 
mother  of  hers  made  her  stick  to  her  word  (although 
I  hear  she  had  mighty  small  regard  for  her  own),  and 
the  colonel  of  course  would  not  interfere.  Once  they 
thought  Mr.  Ray  was  going  to  cut  in  and  win  her 
away ;  but  I  know  that  was  just  a  real  frank  liking  she 
had  for  him.  Anyhow,  the  engagement's  broken,  and 
I  have  heard  he's  going  to  resign  when  they  get  East. 
She  left  here  for  San  Francisco,  with  her  mother,  Mrs. 
Turner,  and  Mrs.  Raymond,  all  under  Ralph's  cKarge, 
three  days  ago.  Mrs.  "Wilkins  swears  she's  going  to 
march  across  the  continent  with  the  boys. 

"  Well,  we're  mighty  sorry  to  lose  the  — th,  though 
it  did  seem  to  run  down-hill  after  you  left.  I'm  not 
the  only  one  that  says  so,  Jack ;  so  you  needn't  laugh. 
They  will  have  better  stations  and  all  that  sort  of  thing 
in  the  East,  but  all  the  ladies  will  join  now,  I  suppose, 
and  then  won't  there  be  fun  ? 

"  And  now,  Jack,  you  may  say  it's  none  of  my  busi 
ness,  but  if  you  don't  very  soon  write  to  me  that  you 
have  succeeded  in  consoling  a  certain  young  lady  for 
the  loss  of  much  valuable  time  and  one  lover,  I  shall 
'be  a  disappointed  woman." 

Upon  the  same  subject  Mrs.  Tanner  wrote  from  her 
home  in  Massachusetts : 

"  Letters  from  the  old  regiment  bring  me  most  inter 
esting  news.  There  is  no  doubt  that  Mr.  Glenham  has 
at  last  released  Grace  Pelham  from  her  engagement. 
Both  Mrs.  Wilkins  and  Mrs.  Turner  write  to  the  same 
effect.  She  has  been  very  unhappy  in  this  tie  to  a  man 
who  was  greatly  her  inferior,  and  the  rupture  of  the 
engagement  must  be  a  relief  inexpressible. 

36 


422  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

"  Of  course,  both  letters  are  filled  with  gossipy  details 
as  to  how  it  was  brought  about;  but,  knowing  your 
horror  of  all  that  sort  of  talk,  I  refrain.  One  thing, 
however,  seems  certain.  It  was  his  doing  and  is  final. 

"  Jack,  dear  friend,  I  grew  to  know  her  so  well  and 
to  love  her  dearly  in  those  sad  days  at  Sandy,  but  there 
were  some  matters  of  which  we  never  spoke.  You 
know  how  I  grieved  over  the  wrong  done  you  by  my 
own  kith  and  kin  years  ago,  and  how  I  must  want  to 
see  you  happy.  There  was  something  more  than  sus 
picion  in  my  mind  that  you  and  sweet  Grace  Pelham 
had  been  ruthlessly  separated  by  misunderstanding — 
perhaps  by  design — at  Sandy.  There  was  some  garri 
son  talk  of  a  letter  of  yours  that  never  reached  her,  and 
yet  was  delivered  for  her  to  Mrs.  Pelham,  and  in  some 
way  I  found  it  was  generally  known  that  she  had  sent 
back  your  spurs  without  a  word  of  explanation.  Have 
you  those  spurs  yet,  Jack  ?  I  fancy  that  if  they  were 
to  find  their  way  into  her  hands  again,  you  might  find 
it  difficult  to  reclaim  them." 

That  April  evening  a  warm  south  wind  was  sweeping 
up  the  Hudson,  and  moist  and  sweet,  bearing  the  faint 
perfume  of  the  early  lilacs  upon  its  bosom,  it  played 
through  the  curtains  of  Truscott's  open  window.  He 
had  early  left  the  mess,  and  separated  from  the  officers 
who  had  strolled  homeward  with  him.  "  Had  letters 
to  write,"  he  explained,  and  yet,  half  an  hour  after 
wards,  when  three  or  four  lively  comrades  stopped  under 
the  window  in  the  "  Angle,"  and  looked  up,  they  aban 
doned  the  project  of  rushing  in  "  to  give  Truscott  a 
rattle  over  his  promotion,"  for,  said  they,  "  he  must  be 
out."  There  was  no  light  in  his  room. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS  423 

No  light  burning  from  jet  or  lamp,  perhaps,  bufc 
Jack  was  there,  and  a  light  of  hope,  love,  and  deep 
thankfulness  was  burning  in  his  heart  of  hearts,  and 
he  was  thinking — thinking.  Well  he  recalled  thai  last 
night  at  Sandy.  How  old  Pelham  had  walked  home 
with  him  from  the  Turners',  and  in  deep  embarrass 
ment  had  told  him  of  Ralph's  letter.  Tears  of  grati 
tude  and  of  deep  emotion  stood  in  the  colonel's  eyes 
and  his  voice  was  broken,  his  hand  tremulous.  That 
night  all  the  old  trust  and  affection  was  restored  be 
tween  them,  but  not  a  word  was  said  of  Mrs.  Pelham 
or  Grace  until  Jack  reminded  him  that  he  had  to  go 
and  see  Mrs.  Tanner  a  little  while,  and  then  it  came 
out. 

"  I've  got  one  thing  I  must  ask  you,  Truscott.  I've 
overheard  some  talk  about  a  letter  you  sent  to  our 
house  for  Grace  before  you  went  out  on  that  scout. 
She  never  got  it,  I  understand.  Did  you  ever  send 
such  a  letter?" 

"  Yes,  colonel,  once,  and  no  reply  ever  reached  me." 

"  Then  depend  upon  it,  Jack,  it  never  got  to  Grace ; 
she  was  ill  you  know,  and  it — it  must  have  been  mis 
laid." 

But  now  it  was  too  late :  the  mischief  was  done.  The 
colonel  did  not  dream  how  much  depended  upon  that 
little  note,  and  not  until  long  afterwards  did  he  know 
the  truth,  that  Mrs.  Pelham  had  shown  it  to  Arthur 
Glenham,  and  he  had  been  weak — mean* enough  to 
read  it.  Then  it  was  that  under  the  influence  of  that 
indomitable  woman  he  had  removed  from  Truscott's 
quarters  and  afterwards  accused  him  of  treachery. 

Well  Jack  recalled  her  sweet  face  and  animated 


424  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

manners  as  Grace  sat  conversing  with  Ray  that  night, 
and  his  sense  of  utter  desolation  as  he  left  the  garrison 
at  sunrise.  No  one  but  he  really  knew  that  he  expected 
to  be  met  at  Prescott  by  telegraphic  orders  to  proceed  at 
once  to  the  Military  Academy  for  duty  in  the  depart 
ment  of  tactics,  and  he  dreaded  the  formal  "  good-byes" 
that  would  have  to  be  undergone  were  the  order  to 
reach  him  while  still  at  Sandy.  And  now  he  understood 
why  she  had  never  replied  to  that  urgent  little  note  of 
his,  and  bitterly  he  blamed  himself  for  ever  permitting 
the  thought  that  she  had  received  and  had  trifled  with 
it  as  she  had  with  his  love.  Over  an  hour  he  sat  there 
plunged  in  deep  thought,  for  even  in  his  new-found 
hope  and  happiness  he  dared  make  no  false  step.  Then 
he  rapidly  wrote  a  short  letter,  and  on  the  following 
evening  Mrs.  Tanner  received  this  query :  "  Where 
will  a  letter  reach  Miss  Pelham  ?"  On  the  third  day 
the  answer  came:  "Care  of  Adjutant-General,  Divis 
ion  of  the  Missouri,  Chicago.  They  are  visiting  friends 
there  while  waiting  for  the  regiment  to  come  in.  Then 
they  go  to  Fort  Hays.  They  may  visit  Mrs.  Treadwell 
there  for  a  while." 

One  rainy,  dripping,  depressing  morning  a  week 
later,  while  a  damp,  smoke-laden,  coal-blackened  fog 
had  settled  down  on  the  wicked  city  of  Chicago,  and 
the  minds  of  its  denizens  were  more  than  ever  disposed 
towards  the  inevitable  ills  that  life  in  such  an  atmos 
phere  must  generate,  three  ladies  of  or  beyond  medium 
age  sat  yawning  and  disconsolate  under  the  lighted 
chandelier  in  a  comfortable  parlor;  a  fourth — young, 
sweet,  and  vastly  attractive — sat  somewhat  listlessly  at 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS  425 

the  piano,  her  slender  hands  wandered  over  the  keys, 
and  Schubert's  beautiful,  dreamy  "Praise  of  Tears" 
softly  rose  and  fell  in  plaintive  melody  through  the 
silence  of  the  room. 

u  For  goodness'  sake,  Grace,"  exclaimed  one  of  the 
elder  ladies,  pettishly,  "  do  stop  that  dismal  thing  and 
play  something  lively  !  You  will  drive  us  all  into  our 
shrouds  with  such  funeral  stuff  as  that." 

In  vain  the  others  protested  it  was  lovely,  and  begged 
Grace  Pelham  to  continue.  Mamma  had  resumed  her 
sway,  and  Grace,  away  from  the  supporting  voice  of  her 
father,  and  no  longer  the  prospective  Mrs.  Arthur  Glen- 
ham,  with  a  fortune  at  her  disposal  and  a  fool  at  her 
feet,  had  meekly,  resignedly  fallen  back  into  her  old 
habit  of  uncomplaining  obedience. 

A  servant  entered  with  the  mail,  handing  to  Mrs. 
Pelham  two  or  three  bulky  letters,  in  which  she  im 
mediately  became  engrossed,  and  to  Grace  a  small  par 
cel,  at  which  the  young  lady  glanced  curiously,  then 
eagerly,  and  then  fled  from  the  parlor. 

Once  safely  in  her  own  room,  and  with  the  door 
locked  between  her  and  would-be  pursuers,  she  carried 
her  prize  to  the  window.  It  was  small,  compact,  firmly 
wrapped  in  strong  white  paper,  strongly  tied,  sealed, 
and  registered.  It  was  post-marked  West  Point,  and 
needed  only  a  glance  at  the  superscription  to  tell  her 
the  sender's  name.  For  an  instant  she  held  it,  trem 
bling  from  head  to  foot,  then  cut  the  strings,  opened 
the  little  box,  unrolled  with  quivering  fingers  and  beat 
ing  heart  the  dainty  wrapping  of  tissue-paper,  and  came 
upon  something  white  and  soft,  tied  with  ribbon.  On 
it  was  a  card. 

36* 


426  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"  These  are  yours.  The  spurs  you  won  at  Sandy ; 
the  handkerchief  you  dropped  at  my  door  at  Prescott, 
and  in  faith  and  constancy  I  have  worn  it  till  now. 

"  If  you  value  that  which  you  have  won,  hold  it, 
and  return  to  me  the  only  semblance  of  the  tie  that  has 
bound  me  to  you,  and  it  shall  bind  forever.  If  your 
prize  be  worthless  to  you,  send  it  back,  and  in  so  doing 
break  the  tie.  Comme — -fid&U. 

"J.  G.  T." 

And  Grace  Pelham  read  till  the  tears  blinded  her 
eyes,  dashed  them  away,  then  read  again,  tore  open  the 
little  packet  in  which  lay  two  silver  spurs  rolled  in  a 
snowy  kerchief,  which  was  rent  and  torn  inexplicably, 
and  which  bore  in  white  embroidery  in  the  corner  the 
simple  name,  "  Grace." 

And  then  she  sank  upon  her  knees,  burying  her 
bright,  beautiful  head  in  the  pillow,  and  wept  unre 
strainedly,  but  oh!  so  humbly,  so  gratefully,  so  joy 
ously,  holding  her  treasures  to  her  heart. 

And  three  days  more  the  torn  handkerchief  was 
back  in  Truscott's  breast. 

"  Colonel,"  said  he  to  the  commandant  of  cadets  the 
following  morning,  "  I  want  a  week's  leave.  It  is  an 
unusual  time  for  one  of  the  department  to  be  away, 
but,  as  you  know,  I  cannot  leave  in  the  summer.  My 
regiment  is  just  back  in  Kansas,  and  I  want  to  run  out 
to  Fort  Hays  and  see  them.  Mr.  X.,  with  your  con 
sent,  will  take  charge  of  my  duties.  I  will  be  back  for 
muster  on  the  30th." 

And  the  leave  was  granted.  It  would  give  him  just 
time,  provided  there  was  no  detention,  to  speed  westward 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS.  427 

to  St.  Louis,  thence  to  Kansas  City,  and  so  on  to  Fort 
Hays,  to  spend  twenty-four  hours  there,  and  then  rush 
back  the  way  he  came.  Not  much  satisfaction,  possibly, 
for  so  long  a  journey,  but  he  went. 

Headquarters  and  four  troops,  with  the  band,  had 
arrived  at  the  little  frontier  post  of  Fort  Hays,  officers 
and  men  being  still  encamped  upon  the  open  prairie 
alongside,  while  those  ladies  who  had  hurried  thither 
to  meet  their  returning  lords  were  hospitably  enter 
tained  by  the  families  in  the  garrison  who  had  not  yet 
moved  away,  and  here  it  was  that  Mrs.  Treadwell  had 
thrown  open  the  large  and  commodious  quarters  of  the 
commanding  officer  to  Mrs.  and  Miss  Pelham.  Here, 
too,  were  our  old  acquaintances,  Mrs.  Raymond  and 
Mrs.  Turner.  Here  were  other  ladies  of  the  regiment 
whom  it  has  not  been  the  felicity  of  the  reader  to  meet. 
Here,  too,  were  three  or  four  young  ladies,  gathered 
from  neighboring  posts,  and  ready  and  eager  to  put  up 
with  scant  accommodation,  for  would  there  not  be  two 
bands  at  Hays  for  a  while,  and  was  there  not  to  be 
given  a  grand  ball  by  the  outgoers  to  the  incomers,  and 
was  not  that  big,  empty  barrack,  with  its  polished  wax 
floor,  "  the  loveliest  place  in  the  world  for  a  German"  ? 
Oh,  bright  and  bonny  and  sunshiny  and  jubilant  was 
everything  and  everybody  at  Hays  in  that  glorious, 
radiant  spring  weather,  and  who  more  bright,  who  so 
bonny,  who  half  so  radiant  and  lovely  as  Grace  ?  The 
colonel  wondered  at  her  brilliant  color  and  sparkling 
eyes,  marvelled  at  the  lightness  of  her  step,  at  the 
ringing  music  of  her  sweet  voice.  Sing !  Why,  she 
sang  from  morn  till  night. 


428  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR 

"  And  yet,"  said  one  of  the  visitors,  "  you  tell  ine 
she  has  been  jilted  by  that  young  man  with  ten  thou 
sand  a  year  who  has  just  resigned.  I  would  be  down 
in  sackcloth  and  ashes." 

Would  he  write  ?  Would  he  come  ?  One  or  other 
she  knew  it  would  be,  and  that  right  soon.  And  so 
when  Major  Bucketts  came  stumping  into  the  Tread- 
wells'  parlor  one  evening  waving  a  despatch  and  beam 
ing  with  delight,  she  felt  sure  what  was  coming  before 
her  father  burst  out  with, — 

"By  Jove!  that  is  good.  Jack  Truscott  will  be 
here  to-night." 

There  was  an  impromptu  dance  going  on,  and  thither 
Grace  could  not  but  wend  her  way,  and  her  escort,  a 
deeply-smitten  youth  of  the  infantry  persuasion,  was 
impatiently  awaiting  her.  Dozens  of  young  people 
were  blithely  dancing  to  the  strains  of  sweet  music  from 
the  tireless  orchestra,  and,  though  she  danced  unceas 
ingly,  joyously,  the  hours  seemed  to  drag.  It  would 
be  near  midnight  before  the  train  from  the  East  reached 
the  station.  Would  it  be  late?  Would  the  dance 
break  up  before  he  could  come  ?  Would  Major  Buck 
etts  be  stupid  and  take  him  off  to  his  own  quarters  in 
stead  of  bringing  him  there  ?  Would  he  speak  to  her 
then  ?  Could  she  see  him  ?  Could  she  look  in  his 
face  and  not  betray  to  every  soul  in  the  room  the  glow 
ing  secret  that  seemed  bursting  from  heart  and  brain  ? 
Eleven  o'clock  came  at  last,  and  then  the  minutes 
stretched  into  hours,  and  midnight  lay  a  century  away. 
Yet  she  was  striving  to  be  calm,  striving  to  be  bright 
and  "entertaining"  with  her  round  of  partners.  Oh, 
how  she  tired  of  their  chatter!  thsir  utterly  vapid 


WINNING   HIS  SPURS  429 

efforts  to  amuse  her!  How  she  wished  Ray  were 
there !  He  would  let  her  dance,  or  sit  in  silence  and 
wait  and  think  and  dream,  keeping  vigilant  guard  lest 
others  interfere,  as  he  had  learned  to  do  for  her  in 
Arizona,  yet  interfering  not  himself;  but  Ray  was  far 
to  the  westward.  Fate  had  assigned  him  elsewhere, — 
and  midnight  came  at  last.  To  her  misery,  the  hop 
was  breaking  up,  the  dancers  going  home.  Some  had 
already  left. 

"Oh,  can't  we  have  just  one  more  waltz?"  she  im 
plored,  and  obediently  the  leader  signalled  to  his  sleepy 
bandsmen.  Then  there  was  a  rush  and  commotion  at 
the  doorway.  Young  officers  were  dropping  their 
partners  and  precipitating  themselves  on  a  new  arrival ; 
a  dozen  glittering  uniforms  were  crowding  about  a  tall, 
soldierly-looking  fellow  in  civilian's  dress  who  was  be 
ing  half  dragged,  half  pushed,  then  carried,  nearly 
smothered,  into  the  hall.  Mesdames  Raymond  and 
Turner  rushed  rapturously  upon  him,  other  dames  fol 
lowed  suit.  The  younger  damsels  gazed  with  decorous 
curiosity,  and  Miss  Pelham's  infantry  escort,  with  mis 
guided  jocularity,  inquired,  "  Who  may  be  this  lengthy 
party  in  cits?  I  suppose  we  may  venture  to  dance, 
may  we  not  ?"  And  had  he  been  a  youth  of  brain  he 
might  have  learned  a  lesson  from  the  manner  of  her 
reply. 

"Not  just  now.  It's  Captain  Truscott,  our  old  ad 
jutant." 

"Oh!  That's  Jack  Truscott,  is  it?"  was  all  the 
crestfallen  youth  could  say,  and  then  they  stood  still 
and  watched,  and  the  baud  stopped  playing. 

Is  the  world  made  up  of  idiots  ?     Could  no  one  see 


430  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

how  his  eyes  were  wandering  over  their  heads  about 
the  room?  Had  not  those  little  whip-snappers  of  boys 
more  sense  than  to  know  that  it  was  not  on  their  account 
he  had  come  all  that  distance?  Would  they  never  let 
him  go?  Would  those  absurd  women  never  release 
him?  Must  he  stand  there  patiently  striving  to  an 
swer  a  dozen  questions  asked  at  once  while  she  stood 
waiting  ?  And  when  he  did  break  through,  and  came 
towards  her  with  quick,  eager  step  and  a  glorious  light 
in  his  dark  eyes,  could  they  not  even  then  see  through 
it  all  ?  must  they  still  hang  to  his  skirts  with  idiotic 
inquiries  of  no  earthly  importance  ?  Only  for  an  instant 
could  Grace  glance  up  in  those  glowing  hazel  eyes, 
while  her  cheeks  burned  with  their  shy  delight. 

"  I'm  so  glad  to  see  you  again,"  was  all  she  had  time 
to  faLter  in  response  to  his  tremulous  voice  breathing 
only  her  name.  Then  he  was  dragged  off,  and  she 
homewards.  He  to  Bucketts's  quarters,  where  his  old 
comrades  crowded  around  him  till  late  towards  morn 
ing  ;  she  to  wait,  with  trembling  joy,  for  the  coming  day. 

Yet  what  did  that  bring  ?  She  was  out  at  guard- 
mounting,  so  was  he,  and,  breaking  loose  from  the 
group  surrounding  him,  came  at  once  to  meet  her,  and 
the  wooden-headed  imbeciles  flocked  instantly  about 
them,  and  not  a  word  alone  had  he  in  the  hour  they 
were  together.  Then  came  madame,  with  Mrs.  Tread- 
well,  and  the  carriage  to  take  a  drive.  She  had  not 
known  when  to  expect  him,  had  promised  to  go,  and 
could  not  now  avert  it.  It  was  nearly  one  when  they 
returned,  and  then  they  had  to  dress  for  luncheon  at 
the  doctor's.  And  he  had  been  dragged  off  to  stables 
by  the  colonel  to  see  the  new  horses  by  the  time  they 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  431 

jarne  back,  and  the  colonel  did  not  release  him  until 
near  retreat.  Nor  was  he  one  instant  alone  with  him. 
Even  his  placidity  was  sorely  tried.  "  But  never  mind/' 
he  thought,  "  I  dine  at  the  Treadwells',  and  there,  at 
least,  there  will  be  opportunity."  Nevertheless,  at 
parade,  finding  it  impossible  to  separate  her  from  the 
swarm  of  feminines  who  flocked  about  her,  and  the 
officers  who  gathered  in  clusters  the  instant  they  were 
dismissed  from  their  duties,  he  turned  to  Bucketts. 

"  Old  man,  have  the  ambulance  at  Treadwell's  at  ten 
o'clock  to  take  me  to  the  station.  Put  my  valise  in, 
and  do  all  you  can  to  keep  the  crowd  away  from  there  to 
night."  And  Bucketts  understood. 

Even  at  dinner  all  went  wrong.  Oh,  Mrs.  Tread- 
well,  either  your  tact  had  deserted  you,  or  Lady  Pel- 
ham's  malign  influence  had  been  again  at  work.  Grace 
was  seated  beyond  his  reach.  He  could  not  even  see 
her,  for  she  was  on  his  side  of  the  table,  and  there 
were  other  guests  between  them.  Dinner  was  long, 
frightfully  long. 

"  Jack,  must  you  go  to-night  ?"  called  the  colonel  to 
him.  "  Can't  you  wait  until  to-morrow's  train  ?  You 
will  reach  the  Point  by  the  30th  even  then."  And 
Truscott  could  only  shake  his  head. 

Would  that  ghastly  dinner  never  end  ?  It  was  nearly 
nine  o'clock  when  they  rose  and  strolled  into  the  parlor. 
Then  he  went  at  once  to  her  side.  Two  young  officers 
were  speaking  to  her  then,  but  time  was  precious.  She 
half  moved  forward  to  meet  him. 

"  Must  you  go  to-night  ?"  she  murmured,  lookin  ; 
almost  tearfully  up  in  his  eyes. 

"  Yes,  at  ten.     Yet  I  cannot " 


432  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

"Captain  Truscott,  Captain  Truscott,  didn't  you 
hear?  Colonel  Treadwell  says  won't  you  smoke?" 
And  Mrs.  Turner  was  pulling  at  his  coat-sleeve. 
(Smoke  at  such  a  time !)  "  How  ungallant  you've 
grown !  You  used  to  be  the  soul  of — why,  I  don't 
know — devotion,  and  here  I  had  to  call  you  twice — 
three  times." 

"Did  you  see  Mrs.  Tanner?  Isn't  it  lovely  she's 
so  well  off?  Do  you  think  she'll  marry  again?"  Mrs 
Raymond  was  firing  at  him  from  the  other  side. 

"Do  tell  us  about  West  Point.  Is  Mrs.  Ruggles 
there  now  ?  Why  do  you  have  to  go  to-night  ?  How 
stupid  of  you  to  come  for  so  short  a  time !"  Mrs.  the 
doctor  was  having  her  say. 

The  other  men,  except  two  or  three  youngsters,  were 
still  in  the  dining-room  smoking.  What  could  be 
done  ?  He  was  surrounded  by  these  chattering  mag 
pies,  and  Grace  was  fairly  driven  from  his  side.  Mrs. 
Pelham  had  called  her.  Mrs.  Treadwell  was  asking 
her  to  sing.  Then  the  women  turned  on  her  and  im 
plored  her  to  sing.  Everybody  knows  that  right  after 
dinner  is  the  very  time  of  all  others  one  feels  like  sing 
ing.  Grace  had  to  sing,  and  it  was  half-past  nine  be 
fore  the  oldsters  came  out,  and  then  tattoo  drew  several 
of  the  younger  people  away. 

"Surely,  you  are  going  to  the  hop-room,  Grace?" 
Mrs.  Pelham  was  heard  to  say.  "  I  heard  Mr.  Roberts 
isking  you." 

And  Grace  looked  imploringly  at  her  father. 

"  Indeed,  she's  not.  Truscott's  got  to  go  in  twenty 
minutes,  and  I  want  to  see  him,  so  does  Grace,"  that 
veteran  answered,  stoutly. 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  433 

Still  there  were  a  dozen  people  in  the  parlor,  and  time 
was  spinning  away.  Grace  was  implored  to  sing  again, 
and  sing  she  had  to.  Mrs.  Treadwell  and  Mrs.  Pelham 
were  chatting  with  the  doctor  at  a  distant  end  of  the 
room.  The  colonel  and  Treadwell,  lolling  back  in  their 
easy-chairs,  were  beating  time  and  enjoying  the  music. 
The  doctor's  wife  and  Mesdames  Raymond  and  Turner 
were  pestering  Truscott  with  questions  even  as  she  sang. 
Grace  was  at  the  piano,  and  he  had  eagerly  stepped  to 
her  side  to  turn  over  the  leaves  for  her,  but  they  called 
him  away  as  the  song  ceased,  and  nervously  looking  at 
his  watch,  pulling  savagely  at  his  moustache,  Jack  Trus 
cott  commenced  pacing  rapidly  up  and  down  the  parlor. 
How  odd  of  him !  How  excitable  for  one  ordinarily 
so  calm ! 

Listening  eagerly  to  his  every  word,  listening  in  tor 
ture  to  their  senseless  chatter  and  questioning,  Grace 
Pelham  sat  running  dreamily  over  the  exquisite  music, 
the  accompaniment  of  Kucken's  "  Good-night, — Fare 
well/'  an  accompaniment  that  is  a  lovely  song  in  itself. 

"Yes  indeed,  Mr.  Truscott — Captain  Truscott,  I 
mean,"  Mrs.  Turner  was  saying,  "  we've  been  hearing 
all  manner  of  accounts  of  you  at  West  Point.  I  quite 
expected  long  ere  this  to  hear  of  your  being  in  love 
somewhere,  and  (coquettishly)  forgetting  all  your  old 
friends  in  the  — th.  Of  course,  now,  with  your  cap 
taincy,  you  will  be  seeking  a  wife  ?" 

"  Of  course,"  he  answered,  with  a  sudden  resumption 
of  preternatural  calmness,  but  still  striding  up  and  down. 

"  You  mean  to  be  married,  really  f     Vividly  inter 
ested  were  the  ladies  now,  and  the  sweet  accompani 
ment  went  tremulously  on. 
T        cc  37 


434  THE   COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;    OR, 

"  Certainly,  I  do." 

"  You  have  fallen  in  love,  then  ?" 

"  Long  ago." 

"Oh,  Mr.  Truscott!"  "Why,  Captain  Trusoott!" 
"Oh,  when?"  "What  a  surprise!"  "Who  is  she?" 
"Do  tell  us !"  came  in  general  chorus,  even  Pelham  and 
Treadwell  pricking  up  their  ears. 

"Are  you  really,  really  in  love?  very  much?" 

"lam— deeply." 

"  Then  when  are  you  to  be  married  ?" 

[Breathless  silence.] 

"  I  don't  know." 

"  Don't  know !     Why  not  ?" 

"  Because  I've  never  asked  her  yet." 

"  How  absurd  !  Why  haven't  you  ?  Doesn't  she 
love  you  ?" 

"  I've  never  asked  her." 

"  Preposterous !     What  do  you  mean  ?" 

"  She  knows  you  love  her,  does  she  not  ?" 

"  Yes." 

"Then  why  don't  you  ask  her?  Why  haven't 
you " 

"  I  have  never  had  a  chance,  and  at  this  rate  never 
expect  to  get  one." 

(The  accompaniment  had  wellnigh  died  away.  Grace 
was  bending  blindly  over  her  piano.) 

"  What  can  you  mean  ?  Who  is  it  ?"  persisted  that 
eminently  brilliant  cross-examiner,  Mrs.  Turner,  though 
others  with  gradually  expanding  ideas  were  beginning 
to  take  in  the  situation. 

He  had  stepped  close  by  the  piano,  his  watch  again 
in  his  hand.  The  wheels  of  an  ambulance  rattled  up 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  435 

to  the  door.  Proudly,  almost  defiantly  /he  turned  and 
faced  them  all,  then  bent  over  the  beautiful,  bowed 
head,  the  trembling  form  that  drooped  over  the  keys. 
A  wonderful  depth  of  love,  reverence,  tenderness,  pas 
sion  thrilled  through  every  word,  as  he  murmured — 

"Gracie.  It  is  my  only  opportunity;  but,  before 
the  world,  if  need  be,  I  would  say  it  proudly,  I  love 
you." 

The  accompaniment  had  ceased.  The  sweet,  blush 
ing  face  was  hidden  by  his  arm.  Before  them  all  he 
had  wooed  and  won  her. 

"  All  the  world  loves  a  lover  "  (unless  it  be  the  lady's 
younger  brother,  when  she  has  one).  If  not,  how  did  it 
happen  that  on  this  particular  evening  that  express  train 
on  the  Kansas  Pacific  should  be  telegraphed  as  two  hours 
late,  and  thatBucketts  should  find  it  out  just  in  the  "nick 
of  time,'7  and  bring  word  to  Truscott  as  he  was  coming 
forth  to  drive  to  the  station,  taking  leave  of  his  sweet 
betrothed,  even  as  he  had  had  to  plead  his  cause — before 
them  all  ?  Will  it  be  believed  that  when  the  quarter 
master  appeared  with  his  glad  tidings  and  called  out, 
"  Jack,  old  boy,  that  train  won't  be  along  till  after 
midnight,  so  I'll  send  the  trap  back  to  the  corral," 
Mrs.  Turner  absolutely  proposed  staying  and  making 
up  a  party  to  see  him  off,  and  was  indignant  because  her 
husband  spirited  her  off  homewards  ?  Then  the  others 
followed,  and,  thanks  to  Pelham's  resolution,  Jack  Tru&- 
cott  and  his  fiancee  were  left  in  peace.  Mrs.  Pelham, 
a  martyred  wife  and  mother,  was  sent  to  bed,  and  the 
colonel  and  Treadwell  retired  to  the  dining-room  to 
smoke  another  cigar.  It  was  the  happiest  night  the 
colonel  had  known  in  ever  s*>  long. 


436  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

And  now  the  minutes  flew  like  seconds ;  the  blessed 
two  hours  whirled  away.  Once  more  'twas  almost  time 
for  the  ambulance  to  rattle  up  to  the  house,  and  this 
time  there  could  be  no  postponement.  They  were 
standing  under  the  hanging-lamp  in  the  centre  of  the 
room,  the  bright  light  shimmering  through  her  rippling 
hair,  and  shining  back  from  the  beautiful  eyes  ever  and 
anon  raised  so  happily,  so  trustingly  to  his. 

"  There  is  something  I  want  to  ask  you,"  she  said, 
shyly,  as  another  reference  to  his  watch  showed  that 
they  had  but  a  few  moments  more  to  call  their  own. 
He  was  looking  smilingly  down  into  her  bonny,  blush 
ing  face. 

"What  is  it,  Gracie?" 

"About  the  packet  you  sent  me  with  the  spurs. 
Was  my  handkerchief  really  so  torn  when  I  dropped 
it?" 

"  It  was  not  torn  at  all." 

"  Then  how  did  you  come  to  abuse  it  so  frightfully, 
sir  ?  Is  that  the  way  you  treat  my  property  ?" 

He  was  smiling  mischievously  now. 

"  I  kept  it  -in  as  safe  a  spot  as  I  could  find,"  he 
answered. 

"  Where  ?"  and  her  head  drooped  as  she  asked 
it. 

"  Very  near  to  my  heart,  Miss  Pelham." 

l<  Then  how  came  those  jagged  rents,  I'd  like  to 
know?" 

"An  arrow  did  that,  mademoiselle,  the  morning  of 
Tanner's  fight  down  in  Tonto  basin, — a  day  or  two 
after  you  jilted  me,  to  be  explicit." 

And  for  all  response  she  could  only  bury  her  fac«i 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  437 

upon  the  breast  where,  at  that  moment,  her  torn  treas 
ured  handkerchief  was  lying. 

"  What  else  have  you  to  ask  ?"  he  questioned,  as  sh« 
presently  glanced  up  into  his  eyes  again. 

"  What  does  comme— -fiddle  mean  ?" 

"  Where  is  your  French,  Miss  Pelham?" 

"  I  never  did  know  so  very  much,  and  this  is  utterly 
beyond  me,"  she  answered,  laughingly.  "  You  wrote 
it  so  queerly :  comme,  then  a  dash,  then  fiddle.  There 
is  no  sense  to  it  that  I  can  see." 

He  drew  her  closer  to  his  heart,  and  bent  until  his 
lips  almost  brushed  the  soft,  perfumed  ripples  of  her 
hair.  "  It  has  its  meaning,  though,  and  a  deep  one. 
It  is  my  pledge  to  you,  my  darling, — Fid&le — a  la  fin, 
comme — au  commencement." 

Presently  the  ambulance  once  more  was  heard,  and 
old  Pelham  came  blithely  in. 

"  Grace  dear,  Fm  going  to  drive  over  to  the  station 
with  Truscott,  and  I  want  somebody  with  me  coming 
back, — to  keep  the  wolves  away,  you  know,"  he  added, 
with  a  Weller-like  wink,  very  unbecoming  such  rank 
and  dignity.  "  Run  and  wrap  up  warm,  daughter." 

Then,  as  she  obediently  went,  the  two  men  clasped 
hands  and  looked  into  each  other's  eyes. 

"  Does  it  occur  to  you  that  it  was  about  time  I  asked 
your  consent,  sir?" 

"  You  have  had  it — all  along.    God  bless  you,  Jack !" 

Will  she  ever  forget  that  ride  to  the  station,  I  won 
der?  How  those  scamps  of  bachelor  officers  poured 
forth  from  Bucketts's  tent  over  in  camp  and  surrounded 
the  ambulance  ostensibly  to  bid  "  him"  good-by ;  the 
stage-whispers  which  passed  between  them. 

37* 


438  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER;   OR, 

"Good-by,  Jack.  We  all  meant  to  come  over  to 
the  station  to  see  you  off,  but  the  colonel  gives  us  fits 
if  we're  up  after  midnight  now." 

"  Take  care  of  yourself,  old  man.  Say,  don't  let  the 
colonel  see  you  go  into  Tommy  Dunn's.  What !  Miss 
Pelham,  you  here  too !" 

She  sat  in  the  dark  corner  of  the  carriage,  where  she 
could  dimly  see  his  form  as  he  leaned  forward  talking 
earnestly  with  her  father  as  they  drove  rapidly  over 
the  smooth  prairie  roads.  Not  a  word  did  she  speak, 
but  an  inexpressible  content  and  joy  possessed  her. 
He  was  going.  It  might  be  many  a  long  weary  month 
before  she  could  see  him  again,  but  her  heart  went  with 
him,  and  his? — ah,  had  it  not  been  in  her  keeping  for 
months  past  ? 

They  reached  the  station ;  dark  and  still  it  looked : 
one  faint  light  burning  in  the  station-master's  office ; 
but  thither  the  colonel  found  it  necessary  to  go.  The 
ambulance  and  its  driver  went  off,  oddly  enough,  and 
"  hitched"  directly  in  front  of  the  very  establishment 
Jack  had  been  warned  to  shun.  And  then  on  the  dark 
platform,  lighted  only  by  the  glowing  stars  above,  the 
red  and  green  signal- lamps  up  and  down  the  track, 
Grace  Pelham  and  her  lover  were  alone. 

All  too  soon,  far  up  the  line  the  brilliant  head-light 
of  the  train  came  sweeping  into  view.  They  were 
pacing  slowly  along  the  platform,  her  hands  clasped 
upon  his  arm.  She  stopped  suddenly. 

"  You  have  never  asked  me  why — why  Mr.  Glen- 
ham  broke  our  engagement,  and  I  thought  it  was  some 
thing  you  ought  to  know,"  she  said,  falteringly. 

"  J  never  intended  to  ask,  Grade,  nor  do  I  care  to 


WINNING  HIS  SPURS.  439 

question  you  about  any  of  that  wretched  experience  at 
Sandy,"  he  said,  tenderly. 

"  But  it  was  something  I  want  you  to  know,  and  I 
cannot  tell  you  unless  you  ask." 

"  Then,  I  do  ask,"  he  answered,  smiling. 

"  He  told  me  two  months  ago  that  he  knew  I  cared 
nothing  for  him,  and  asked  me  whom  I  did  love  ?" 

"  And  you  told  him " 

"  That  I  loved  you,  Jack." 

Both  his  arms  were  round  her  in  an  instant,  his 
head  bent  down  over  the  sweet  face  now  buried  on  his 
breast.  She  had  to  raise  it  shyly  and  glance  up  into 
his  eyes  in  answer  to  his  appeal,  then  his  lips  sought 
hers,  and  their  fervent  pressure  was  answered.  One 
moment  more  and  he  was  eastward  bound. 

Many  a  letter  came  flying  back  to  Hays.  The  daily 
mail  was  never  without  its  missive  for  Grace,  and  even 
in  separation  some  delight  is  found. 

"  Two  weeks  now  I  have  been  back  at  the  Point," 
he  wrote  one  May  afternoon,  "  and  never  has  the  dear 
old  spot  looked  so  beautiful.  It  is  hard  to  realize  that 
these  scenes,  so  familiar  to  you,  so  very  familiar  to  me, 
have  never  been  viewed  together ;  that  there  ever  has 
been  a  time  in  my  life  when  I  looked  out  upon  that 
glorious  reach  up  the  river,  and  around  upon  the  rocky 
heights,  and  knew  not  this  now  incessant  longing  to 
have  you  at  my  side.  Time  was  when  all  my  hope, 
ambition,  pride,  and  pleasure  were  centred  in  the  coming 
summer,  with  camp  or  furlough,  when  May  with  its 
verdure  and  sweet  balmy  breath  was  a  foretaste  of 
Paradise.  Now,  T  wait  with  eager  impatience  for  the 


140  THE  COLONEL'S  DAUGHTER. 

Doming  again  of  autumn,  for  the  keen  frosts  that  will 
shiver  leaf  and  flower  and  rob  the  landscape  of  all  this 
vernal  beauty.  Welcome,  November,  with  frost  and 
fog  and  gale,  for  none  can  chill  the  light  and  glory  of 
my  life,  for  with  them  comes  its  crowning  blessing,  for 
with  them,  and  despite  them,  I  shall  welcome  you,  mv 
wife,  my  darling,  my  queen." 

And  Truscott  had  many  letters,  congratulatory,  ex 
clamatory,  and  otherwise  satisfactory.  This  was  from 
Eay: 

"  DEAR  JACK, — News  just  reached  me.  Bad  news 
travels  fast,  you  know.  I'm  cut  up — cut  out — and 
never  was  cut  out  for  anything  better.  With  all  my 
heart  I  congratulate  you,  and  wish  it  was  me.  As  I 
can't  walk  to  singing-school  with  her  myself,  please 
may  I  sit  on  the  fence  and  watch  out  for  you  to  go  by  ? 
Anyhow,  may  the  Fates  deal  you  no  end  of  blessings, 
and  me,  two  or  three  full  hands  for  the  wedding 
present  1  There  goes  stable-call.  Toot  d  toi. 

"RAY. 

"  See  here,  Jack,  I  may  not  have  had  a  clear  idea  ou 
the  subject  before,  but  isn't  this  last  capture  of  Miss 
Pelham's  a  new  thing  in  *  Winning  his  Spurs'  f" 


THE   END. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


REC.CIR.    JUL16 


AUG121984 


30 


LD  21A-50m-4,'60 
(A9562slO)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


U.  C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


CDS5D531DM 


M12567 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


